Moretti follows lead of Cowboys LB who battled back from similar injury

BOULDER» A year ago, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith sometimes showed the talent that made him one of the best linebackers in the 2016 draft.

Smith recorded 99 tackles and was impressive at times for the Cowboys, despite still battling back from injury. Now it appears he’s fully healthy.

The Colorado Buffaloes are paying attention, because the devastating knee injury suffered by Smith during his final game at Notre Dame in 2015 is similar to the injury that CU offensive lineman Jake Moretti had during the summer of 2016, just before his senior year at Pomona High School.

Like Smith, Moretti tore his ACL and stretched his peroneal nerve. He also dislocated his knee. It’s the nerve issue that has led to Smith and Moretti spending so much time battling back.

“It’s tough,” Moretti said. “Sometimes I wish it was just the ACL, but it’s the cards I’m dealt and I just have to make the most of it. The toughest part has just been the time period, because with the nerve you don’t really know. The training staff and the strength staff have been awesome in helping me get through it.”

Watching Smith’s recovery should give Moretti and the Buffs some hope.

Although Smith missed the entire 2016 season, he played in all 16 games last year. He was unable to play full-time, however. Because of his nerve damage, he dealt with “drop foot,” which means he had a difficult time lifting the front part of his foot. He needed to wear a brace on his foot to hold it in proper position.

“We called the Dallas Cowboys,” CU coach Mike MacIntyre said. “Jake is wearing the same exact type of brace (as Smith). We had those people come in, talk to us and work with us.”