Dolphins DE Dion Jordan reinstated by NFL on conditional basis
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan's suspension ended just as training camp began.
Jordan was reinstated by the NFL on a conditional basis after sitting out last season for his latest violation of the league's substance abuse policy. Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Jordan on Friday, when the Dolphins held their first practice.
Jordan may join the Dolphins and participate in meetings and conditioning work, the league said. Once arrangements have been confirmed regarding Jordan's clinical resources, he will be permitted to take part in all preseason activities, including practices and games.
Before the start of the regular season, Jordan will meet with the league. Based on his compliance with his recovery program, he will be permitted to participate in all regular-season activities beginning in Week 1. He will be evaluated later in the season for full reinstatement.
Jordan applied in May to return. The overall No. 3 selection in the 2013 draft, Jordan has contributed little so far in his career. He's coming back from his second suspension under the NFL substance abuse policy.
Jordan has played in only 26 games with one start, totaling 46 tackles and three sacks. The Miami group that drafted Jordan is gone, and he returns to a new coaching staff led by head coach Adam Gase.
Jordan excelled as a pass rusher at Oregon, but his lack of productivity with the Dolphins has raised questions about his best position, and they might consider moving him to linebacker. They're deep at defensive end with newcomers Mario Williams, Jason Jones and Andre Branch, and with Cameron Wake returning from Achilles tendon surgery.
Following the Dolphins' first practice, Gase declined to say much about plans for Jordan.
"We're still at the beginning stages of this," Gase said. "I know that's the boring answer, but that's what it is right now."
When asked if Jordan needs to win back the trust of his teammates, Gase said, "I don't know him, and that's hard for me to answer. I just know when he gets here, it's a fresh start with me. So I guess that's really all that matters."
Jordan's first suspension was for the first four games in 2014, and two more games were subsequently added for an additional violation. His most recent suspension began in April 2015, and after that he didn't fail or miss any drug tests while undergoing them weekly, his agent said in May.
