Scores on fumble recovery

Smith had 10 tackles (five solo) and returned a fumble 69 yards for a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Buccaneers.

Analysis: Smith's touchdown helped the Cowboys jump out to an early 14-3 lead to help clinch the NFC East division title. The 23-year-old reached double-digit tackles for the second straight week and fifth time this season, as he continues to serve as a great complement alongside breakout rookie Leighton Vander Esch.

Leads defense in tackles

Smith had 11 solo tackles in Sunday's 23-0 loss to the Colts.

Analysis: It's the first time since Week 6 that Smith totaled double-digit tackles, though he had reached nine tackles on three separate occasions. The 23-year-old ranks second on the team with 107 combined tackles, and also has four sacks and two forced fumbles through 14 games.

Tallies nine tackles

Smith had nine tackles (six solo) in Thursday's 13-10 win over the Saints.

Analysis: Smith and rookie Leighton Vander Esch -- who generated 19 combined tackles Thursday -- continue to lock down the middle of the Cowboys defense. The 23-year-old is second on the team with 87 tackles (58 solo), and has four sacks and two forced fumbles in 12 games.

Adds another sack

Smith had six solo tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in Thursday's 31-23 win over the Redskins.

Analysis: Smith had a strip-sack of QB Colt McCoy on the Redskins' first drive of the afternoon, and although it didn't result in a recovery for the Cowboys, it did force a punt. The 23-year-old is second on the team with 78 tackles (52 solo) and ranks third with four sacks.

Earns third sack

Smith posted 12 tackles (six solo) and a sack in Sunday's 19-16 loss to the Texans.

Analysis: Smith played 99 percent of the team's defensive snaps and his 12 tackles bested everyone except rookie Leighton Vander Esch. His sack of Deshaun Watson was Dallas' only takedown of the night, as the pass rush, though consistent, repeatedly failed to contain Houston's quarterback. The 23-year-old linebacker has accumulated 41 tackles and three sacks so far in 2018.

Eight tackles in Week 3

Smith recorded eight tackles (four solo), including a sack, in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks.

Analysis: Smith's sack gives him two on the year, besting his total from 2017. Fellow starting linebacker Sean Lee (hamstring) could be out for multiple games, meaning that Smith will be the team's top linebacker. He'll aim to come out strong once again as the Cowboys host the Lions in Week 4.

Ten tackles in win over Giants

Smith racked up a team-leading 10 tackles in Sunday night's win over the Giants.

Analysis: His huge hit on Eli Manning in the red zone will make a lot of Cowboys' highlight reels at the end of the 2018 season, but in the here and now, Smith's IDP is soaring. He has 14 tackles, including a sack, through two games to Sean Lee's nine, and it looks like the torch is being passed as the leader of the Dallas defense to the younger linebacker.

One sack Sunday

Smith recorded four tackles (three solo) and a sack across 62 defensive snaps in Sunday's loss to the Panthers.

Analysis: Smith still may not be fully healthy, as he is coming off a prolonged recovery from the career-threatening knee injury he suffered in his final collegiate game with Notre Dame in January 2016. However, he is showing increased mobility as time goes on. He'll look to continue improving when the Cowboys face off with the Giants in Week 2.

Smith hopes to play without a knee brace in 2018, Kate Hairopoulos of Sports Day Dallas News reports.

Analysis: Smith recently parted ways with an AFO foot brace that had been used as part of his broader recovery process. Even if he's stuck with the brace when Week 1 kicks off, the mere notion that we're discussing the possibility of a brace-free Smith is encouraging. The former Notre Dame standout is stacked full of potential, but only time will tell if he's ready to break out in 2018.

Smith is no longer wearing an AFO brace on his drop foot, Clarence Hill Jr. of The Forth Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Analysis: Smith had been wearing the brace to stabilize his foot as he worked his way back through recovery from his knee injury and nerve damage. He hasn't been wearing the brace at all during the offseason, a sign of his continually improving health since his knee injury in January of 2016.

Smith may shift to strong-side linebacker in the Cowboys' base defense after the team used a first-round pick on Boise State product Leighton Vander Esch, Kristi Scales of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: The draft pick hints at a lack of confidence regarding Smith's ability to handle a full-time role, though Sean Lee's lengthy injury history may have been just as large of a factor. The Cowboys likely envision Vander Esch as a direct replacement for Anthony Hitchens, who signed with the Chiefs in March after operating as a three-down middle linebacker for the Cowboys throughout much of 2017. Despite notching 81 tackles and two forced fumbles on only 575 defensive snaps last season, Smith may…read more

Smith could serve as a full-time middle linebacker for the Cowboys during the upcoming season, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: The 2016 second-round pick sat out his entire rookie season while recovering from a major knee injury that caused nerve damage to his leg. He then worked in a part-time role for the majority of last season, with Sean Lee and Anthony Hitchens getting most of the snaps when the Cowboys used their nickel defense. Smith nonetheless managed to pile up 81 tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack in 16 games, likely setting him up for a larger role in 2018 after Hitchens signed with the Chiefs in March.…read more

Smith finished the regular season with 81 tackles (50 solo), two passes defended, two forced fumbles and a sack in 16 games.

Analysis: While he had his ups and down as a rookie, it's still impressive that he was able to suit up for all 16 games given that he missed the entire 2016 campaign recovering from the catastrophic knee injury that ended his college career at Notre Dame. Cowboys starting middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens is a free agent, and if Hitchens heads elsewhere Smith could enter 2018 atop the depth chart at the position, a spot that would provide him with some intriguing IDP upside -- especially if he regains…read more