Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan was granted his request for reinstatement by the NFL, ending his year-long suspension, the NFL announced on Friday morning, although Jordan will have to go to counseling and be reevaluated before he's officially cleared to see the field again. Jordan has been suspended three times in three years for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy since he was selected with the No. 3 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Dion Jordan granted conditional reinstatement by NFL after year-long suspension
After three failed drug tests and a year-long suspension, Jordan’s request for reinstatement was granted by the NFL.
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Jordan was suspended for the full 2015 season, and he hadn’t been heard from since. The NFL required him to submit a request to be reinstated at the end of the year-long suspension, and Jordan’s request -- officially filed at the beginning of June -- has reportedly been granted, meaning he is no longer suspended by the league.
The Dolphins traded up nine spots to draft Jordan, giving up a second-round pick to go get the pass rusher at No. 3. But his rookie season was derailed by offseason shoulder surgery and he missed the first six games of the 2014 season after two failed drug tests. In 10 games in 2014, he had 20 tackles and a sack.
Jordan hasn't seen the field since and was suspended for the entire 2015 season shortly before the 2015 NFL Draft. Many thought he may not ever play for the Dolphins again, but his reinstatement means the team may give him another chance.
Recently, the NFL reinstated Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon, suspending him for the first four games of 2016 in the process. They will allow him to play in 2016 despite his fourth suspension in as many years for failed drug tests, provided he doesn’t draw the ire of the league between now and the Browns’ fifth regular season game.
It’s not specifically stated that Roger Goodell’s decision is based on drug tests, but it’s a safe bet that further failures likely would have prevented his reinstatement to the NFL. Jordan made strong statements about his desire to get his career turned around, and the reinstatement indicates he avoided further transgressions.
“I’m not about to waste it. I can’t waste it. And I (expletive) love doing it,” Jordan told Tom Pelissero USA Today in May. “Who doesn’t love running out in front of 30,000-plus fans and you get that rush? But it’s also things that you can get that rush from that can be very satisfying and can carry you on to a successful life after football.
“I just turned 26 years old, so life starts to hit you in the face. Who are you outside of those shoulder pads and helmet? And it’s weird, but I feel like it’s a blessing for me at this point in time to think about it, instead of waiting ‘til they really tell me I can’t play football no more.”
The Dolphins are hoping that Jordan will be able to help Cameron Wake and Mario Williams, who are 34 and 31 years old, respectively, will be able to get to opposing quarterbacks. Andre Branch, a free agent signing, is also expected to contribute as a rotational pass rusher.
Given the lack of promising young rushers on the Miami defense, Jordan will likely stick on the Dolphins roster and may have a strong chance at contributing immediately in his return.
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