Dolphins camp is fan-tastic
DAVIE— Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan, theNo. 3 overall pick of the 2013 draftwho was suspended in April 2015 following multiple violations of the NFL’s drug policy, was reinstated by the league on a conditional basis Friday.
Jordan, 26, is eligible to join the team at training camp Saturday. But per the NFL’s statement on the matter, he will be limited to “meetings, conditioning work and similar activities.”
The NFL statement further said, “Once arrangements have been confirmed regarding Jordan’s clinical resources in Miami, he will be permitted to participate inall preseason activities, including practices and games.”
Jordan must then meet with theNFLbefore the start of the regular season to review his progress, and if he meets all requirements he’ll be permitted to play in the Sept. 11 season opener at Seattle.
Jordan will be evaluated later in the season to gain full reinstatement, the NFL said in its statement.
First-year Dolphins coach Adam Gase, who learned of Jordan’s reinstatement shortly after his team’s opening practice of training camp Friday morning, said he’s unsure what role Jordan will play when he returns.
“We’re still at the beginning stages of this thing,” Gase said.
Jordan, who has played both defensive end and linebacker, has three sacks and 46 tackles in 26 career games.
His highlights include defending New England tight end Rob Gronkowski with relative success in 2013, hitting Baltimore quarterback
Joe Flacco, which led to a pass that safety Reshad Jones returned for a gametying fourth-quarter touchdown against the Ravens in a 26-23 loss in 2013, and scooping up a blocked field goal and returning the ball 58 yards to Detroit’s 4-yard line in 2014.
Jordan, who was never able to overtake fellow defensive ends Cameron Wake or Olivier Vernon to become a full time starter, served a four-game suspension at the start of the 2014 season for a violation of the NFL’s Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse. His suspension that began in April 2015 was the result of his having multiple violations of that policy.
Dolphins players seemed encouraged by the news of Jordan’s reinstatement, particularly linebacker Koa Misi, who said he saw Jordan at an airport about two months ago. Jordan told Misi hewas ready to return.
“He’s always been a monster,” Misi said. “He’s an athlete no matter what. He’ll definitely be a good addition to this team, and I’m happy to have him back.”
Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey expressed similar sentiment.
“We’re very excited,” he said. “He’s a very talented player, obviously, one of the highest draft picks we’ve had around here in a while, so we’re excited to get him back. Can’t wait to see what he can do.”
According to a clause in his contract, obtained by the Sun Sentinel, the Dolphins are not obligated to pay Jordan his $1.7 million roster bonus because of the drug violation. The Dolphins would only be obligated to pay his base salary of $600,000 for this season.
Jordan, who excelled on special teams during his time with the Dolphins, could have a tough time making the 53-man roster as a defensive end. The team has Wake, Mario Williams, Andre Branch, Jason Jones, Terrence Fede and Chris McCain at that position, among others. The Dolphins will likely keep either four or five defensive ends on the 53-man roster.
If Jordan switches to outside linebacker, a position he played in college at Oregon in a 3-4 defense, his chances of making the roster could improve, but it’s a position he hasn’t played on a regular basis, considering the Dolphins use a 4-3 defense.
Gase said he wasn’t sure whether Jordan would need to win back the trust of his teammates, but he said Jordan will have a clean slate with him.
“I just know when he gets here, like I said, [it’s a] fresh start with me,” Gase said, “so I guess that’s really all that matters.”