Jerry Jones doesn't believe the nerve in Jaylon Smith's lower left leg is done regenerating.

Smith had it tested before the team left for California last month.

The Cowboys owner and general manager said the former Notre Dame star linebacker "was getting close to 90 percent" regeneration when the team arrived in Oxnard.

"I think you'll probably find improvement," Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan's Shan and RJ show [KRLD-FM]. "He's about there. He was getting close to 90 percent when he got to camp, if that low, frankly. So, I think it's just a question of him getting the snaps in."

During his 17-minute morning radio interview, Jones compared Smith's work ethic to Dak Prescott and his talent to Ezekiel Elliott. Jones then added that Smith "prepares the way the legendary Randy White did years ago."

"What is obvious is as a football player he's really ready to make a big contribution," Jones said. "We expected that. And we saw that it was really coming. Those things have a way of once they get started coming, then they just have a way of getting better quicker and that's what's happened with him.

"Now, I don't think that anybody has ever been as impressed as his teammates are for the work that Jaylon has done. The only comparable I have in my background is how Michael Irvin rehabbed when he tore a knee up in his second year. I've never seen anybody and no one else has seen anybody attack rehab the way he did. I think Jaylon Smith is on par with that."

Briefly

-- TE Rico Gathers remains in concussion protocol and will not play in Saturday night's preseason game against the Oakland Raiders.

-- The Cowboys have not yet determined if Ezekiel Elliott will make his preseason debut Saturday. Garrett said Elliott's six-game suspension will not factor into the decision.

-- OL Chaz Green has been splitting first-team reps at left guard, but he left Tuesday's practice early with an apparent leg injury.