Todd Archer and Jean-Jacques Taylor report the latest on linebacker Rolando McClain, who attended the team's mandatory minicamp after skipping the voluntary portion of the Cowboys' offseason workouts. (2:02)

IRVING, Texas -- Jaylon Smith says his surgically-repaired left knee is making "great improvements," but the Dallas Cowboys' second-round pick remains unsure as to when he will be able to play again.

"I'm just grinding each and every day, controlling what I can control. Once I'm healthy and I'm cleared, I'll be back out there," Smith said. "Everything I do, I have a clear-eye view, a focused vision, a determination, so getting back out there is my No. 1 goal. It's definitely testing my patience, and I'm loving it."

The Cowboys selected Smith knowing there was a strong possibility he would not be able to play at all in 2016. He suffered torn anterior and lateral collateral ligaments in his left knee in Notre Dame's Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State. While the ligaments are healing, it is the nerve damage that he suffered that complicates the issue.

Smith wears a brace from his foot to the middle of his calf. Whenever the nerve regenerates, the rehab process will pick up.

"We test accordingly," Smith said of the nerve issue. "We give it some time and then we'll test. I'm not sure when the next test will be, but for me, it's just I have all of my trust in them and we're going to do some great things here in Dallas."

While he is not on the field, he is in the meeting rooms with the players, learning the scheme. When he does get on the field, the Cowboys plan to play him at middle linebacker.

"You have a great group of guys in front of you," Smith said. "I'm definitely learning a lot from Sean Lee, picking his brain each and every day. But for me, it's just learning the system, getting acclimated to my surroundings. When I'm back out there, it's going to be elite."