For those who dismiss Sunday's game between the Cowboys and Eagles as meaningless, you might want to check with Jaylon Smith.

The linebacker suffered what many considered to be a career-threatening injury in the final game of his college career. Yet here he is, nearly two years later, ready to complete a 16-game NFL season.

That's significant.

"Yes, absolutely,'' Smith said. "Longevity is the big thing. For me to be able to put together a full season is a great feeling, a huge accomplishment but it's just the beginning.''

Smith did more than rip his anterior cruciate ligament in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl. He damaged his peroneal nerve to the point it no longer functioned, leaving him unable to lift his left foot toward his shin.

The Notre Dame star spent his rookie season with the Cowboys rehabilitating that devastating injury. He began to work his way back into practice in the spring of this year, held up during the grind of training camp and found himself in the starting lineup on opening night due to an injury to Anthony Hitchens.

Smith has started six games this season, filling in while Hitchens and Sean Lee were injured. He is second on the team in tackles with 97 and has forced two fumbles.

"About Week 9 was really that turning point where I really felt like I'm back to the old Jaylon Smith that you guys are used to seeing," Smith said.

That fit a pattern. Smith remembers it took him six games in high school to get his feet under him. He was seven games deep into his college career before things began to click.

Nine games at the sport's highest level isn't unreasonable in his mind. That's when his eyes began to make their proper progression on a play, his movement improved and he began to make more plays.

"It's just the rhythm," Smith said. "The game, and a lot of us elite players, it's about getting a great rhythm.

"Each game I improved. I feel elite again. It's a great feeling and knowing I'm able to contribute at a high level for America's team, it's going to be some great years to come.

"I'm back. I feel like myself. It's very encouraging moving into next season."