Related: One tweet may have cost this star defensive player millions in the upcoming draft
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Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith suffered a brutal ACL and LCL tear in his left knee in his team's Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State.
Smith has recovered well enough to lift an absurd amount of weight, but that doesn't mean he's fully healthy. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, a medical re-check showed the same nerve issues they did at the NFL combine, and he's not expected to play at all in the 2016 season:
After medical rechecks, Notre Dame's Jaylon Smith is not expected to play in 2016 and teams are unsure when he will play again, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 18, 2016
Source says Jaylon Smith's recheck showed drop-foot problem, caused by nerve damage, hasn't improved since the combine.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) April 18, 2016
Smith had 114 tackles last season and was considered a top-10 prospect before the combine.
"He could be the best player in this draft," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said per ESPN, "and you're probably going to have to redshirt him."
Smith reportedly took out a $5 million loss of value policy if an injury caused him to fall out of the first round (via ESPN) which it currently is expected to do.
