Not many NFL veterans look forward to the preseason. The exhibition slate is generally a time when coaches do their best to keep their starters healthy and evaluate young players on the back end of the roster.

But 49ers linebacker Malcolm Smith is in a unique situation. He’s looking forward to making his San Francisco debut 17 months after signing a five-year contract, even if it’s a meaningless exhibition game.

“I think it’s going to be really important for me to get out there and get a feel for the game, just being in the stadium. I haven’t played in the stadium so that will be exciting,” Smith said.

The last time Smith played inside Levi’s Stadium was eventful for the all the wrong reasons. He suffered a torn pectoral during an open training camp practice, ending his first season five weeks before it was set to begin. He’s set to start in Thursday’s preseason opener against the Cowboys.

Smith is the favorite to start alongside Reuben Foster as the “Mike” linebacker. The coaching staff likes Smith’s ability to relay signals to the huddle, allowing Foster to worry less about alignment and more about making tackles. The seven-year veteran is liking the progression he’s seen from the second-year linebacker.

“He’s done a great job of just building on last season,” Smith said of Foster. “(The) stuff he’s learned, being able to communicate and execute and being physically ready to go … it’s just great to always see him in the game. Last year I got to see him and now to be with him, so it’s going to be a race to the ball.”