Cowboys sign rookie Jaylon Smith to four-year deal

Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Jaylon Smith has signed a four-year deal with the team.

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Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Jaylon Smith has signed a four-year deal with the team, the Cowboys announced Friday.

ESPN’s Todd Archer first reported the news.

The former Notre Dame star, who was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of this year’s draft, is expected to miss a substantial amount of time during the 2016 season due to a tear of the ACL and MCL in his left knee, which he sustained during the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1.

The 2015 Butkus Award winner, who was a surefire top-10 pick before the injury, had six games with at least 10 tackles last season for Notre Dame.

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The Cowboys have said they will not place Smith on IR, as they hope he’ll be ready for a potential playoff run.

The team also announced that tight end Rico Gathers, who played college basketball for Baylor, has agreed to a four-year deal.