OXNARD, Calif. – The Cowboys have said all along linebacker Jaylon Smith would be playing "at some point" this preseason.
According to owner Jerry Jones, that point will be Saturday. Jones confirmed Smith would indeed play against the Colts in the Cowboys' third preseason game.
Smith has been held out of the first two games and has been practicing on a limited basis as he continues to rehab from a knee injury he sustained in January of 2016.
"Yes, I'm excited," Jones said when asked about seeing Smith for the first time.
A second-round pick from Notre Dame in 2016, Smith will likely only get a few snaps in his first action. The Cowboys will ease him into the mix, probably using him with the second-teamers on Saturday. The long-term goal is to have him play middle linebacker alongside Sean Lee.
Earlier this week, Smith said he was anxious to play but won't rush the plan the Cowboys have used all along.
"Of course I'm excited to get out there," Smith said. "I've waited a long time. But I just go when they tell me. I think we're close. But I'm not going to rush it. They know the best time for me to play. But when that happens, I'll be ready to go."
The Cowboys are expected to play some of the starters on Saturday, including weakside starter Sean Lee, who will get some work with Anthony Hitchens, Damien Wilson and Kyle Wilber.
