While injuries prevented Jaylon Smith from playing a single down for the Cowboys during his rookie season, he's still managed to impress veteran tight end Jason Witten.

Witten, often lauded for his approach to football and the hard work that goes with it, praised the former Notre Dame linebacker and 2016 second-round draft pick for his attitude and work ethic while attempting to come back from a knee injury.

"I've enjoyed getting to spend time with Jaylon this offseason in the workout groups," Witten said Wednesday. "He's just a remarkable kid. To have the challenges that he was presented when he got drafted and had a smile on his face. He comes in early and stays late. He really has embraced this challenge that he's been presented with his knee."

Witten spent his Wednesday morning in North Arlington helping more than 200 volunteers build a new playground at Texas Leadership Charter Academy that will provide a safe zone for more than 700 children in the community to play. The playground will serve the charter school and be open for nearby students to use and also be used by the YMCA for after-school programs. Target and KaBOOM partnered in the effort to get the playground built.

So how is Smith looking?

"He's certainly got himself in position that he's running well, he's physically built. You draw up what you want a linebacker to look like, that's him," Witten said.

Smith, who missed his entire rookie season recovering from a torn ACL and MCL, has been participating in voluntary offseason workouts at The Star. The Cowboys are banking on the former Notre Dame standout being a significant contributor on their defense this season.

Smith is still working out with a brace on his left foot. The nerves haven't fully recovered from the severe knee injury he suffered Jan. 1, 2016. But significant progress has been made.

Witten says that Smith is progressing in a way that could point to significant contributions out of the youngster in 2017.

"He had a great college career and has a bright future and everybody feels confident that he's moving in the right direction, not only to play but to play well in the 2017 season," Witten said.

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