Jaylon Smith Injury: Updates on Notre Dame Star's Leg and Return

Jaylon Smith suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Notre Dame's Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State. He underwent surgery on the injury on Jan. 8.

Continue for updates. 

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Smith Surgery Successful

Friday, Jan. 8

Brian Hamilton of Sports Illustrated reported Smith is expected to make a full recovery after undergoing surgery on Thursday:

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"What we do know is there's going to be a full recovery," the source said. "The repair is solid, and he's very optimistic. We're optimistic. And Jaylon is ready to get going with his rehab."

The repair of the ACL and LCL "couldn't have gone better," per the source. Though clearly significant, the ligament damage was the lesser of the concerns for the All-America performer thought to be a lock for a first-round NFL draft selection.

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Kelly Comments on Smith Injury

Friday, Jan. 1 

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly told reporters Smith suffered a "significant knee injury" after the game, according to Irish Sports Daily. 

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Smith Out for Fiesta Bowl With Knee Injury

Friday, Jan. 1 

According to Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com, Smith suffered a left knee injury and had to be helped off the field by members of the Notre Dame staff. Mike Vorel of the South Bend Tribune reported the Irish superstar had a black cast on his leg and was being carted to the locker room.  

Notre Dame play-by-play announcer Mike Monaco passed along a photo of Smith on the sideline on crutches:

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What Smith's Injury Means

This has got to be Smith's worst nightmare. 

Smith has yet to announce if he will enter the NFL draft. He's been projected as one of the best players available, ranking second overall on Mel Kiper Jr.'s most recent big board on ESPN.com behind Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa. 

Darren Rovell of ESPN reported Smith financed a $50,000 insurance premium to pay for a $5 million policy in the event he slips in the draft.

The Fiesta Bowl was supposed to be a showcase for Smith and Bosa, but both players were off the field in the first quarter. Smith is dealing with the injury and Bosa was ejected following a targeting penalty against Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer, per Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports.

Notre Dame entered the game against Ohio State already lacking depth on defense, and it showed as the team was constantly gashed amid a 44-28 loss. Even if Smith were to return for the Irish in 2016, he likely wouldn't be able to take the field to help the cause.

Given the severity of Smith's injury, his health figures to be a major storyline at the NFL draft considering how highly touted he's been. 

UCLA star Myles Jack suffered a similar fate as Smith earlier this season when he went down with a knee injury. Their unfortunate circumstances likely mean Ohio State standout Darron Lee will be viewed as the most viable playmaker who projects to become an outside linebacker at the NFL level.