Tyrone Smith Is Close to Returning to the Cowboys 53-Man Staff

Despite being on the injured reserve list since late August, Smith is close to returning to action. He has a 21-day window to get back on the practice field before the 53-man roster is set. He has not played since the Cowboys' loss to the Vikings on Sunday, but he could be activated for the Week 5 game against the Texans.

The Cowboys will have to take a good look at him before restoring him to the 53-man roster. There is a chance that Smith will make his return for the final weeks of the regular season, but the management isn't holding out hope for an early return. He has been trending toward a return to action over the past few weeks, but the Cowboys need to evaluate his health before they commit to an arduous task.

Smith was a promising player in his first year with the Nittany Lions, recording five tackles and a solo tackle against Kent State. He also made two stops against Eastern Michigan, and he had a kickoff return for a touchdown against the Buckeyes. He also snagged the best defensive line award for the team, and he was one of only three players in the NFL to win the league's top-tier MVP last season.

Smith was inactive for the last three games of the 2014 season, but he was a key contributor on special teams. He recorded a 0.5 tackle for loss and a solo hit against the Indiana Hoosiers. He is still working his way back from an avulsion fracture of his left knee, and the Cowboys are hoping he can get back to 100 percent. He should have a shot at a bigger role on the defensive line as he gets healthy. He's likely going to spend time on the injured reserve list until he is ready to make his return, but it will be interesting to see how he performs in the coming months.

Fortunately for the Cowboys, OfficialTyroneSmith the avulsion fracture has not limited Smith's game playing ability, as he has earned time on the field in eight games over the past year. He has gained 10 pounds since his rookie year, and he has been a contributing member of the special teams unit, which has helped to boost the Cowboys' 6-2 record heading into their bye week.

As for the other parts of his life, Tyrone Smith's daughter is a sophomore at Ohio State. The son of Erskine and Yvonne Smith, he is also interested in strength and conditioning and physical therapy. He has been working hard to gain back the weight he lost as a result of his injury, and he has made it a point to visit the gym at least twice a week. His family has been in contact with the Dallas Cowboys and are happy to have him back.

The best part about it all is that Smith should be able to make his return in the next few weeks, which will give him time to make his mark in the league. He should have a chance to earn a bigger role on the defensive line, and his return coincides with the end of the season, when Dallas is looking for a postseason boost.