NFL Notes: Dolphins, Giants, Lions, & Panthers

Dolphins

Although DE Dion Jordan will not return this year, Dolphins DC Vance Joseph believes Jordan could help them next season.

“He’s a big body who can help us in the future,” Joseph said, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “But he’s lacking health. We tried to get him back out there and move him around a little bit, but he just wasn’t ready physically, and the time ran out. Dion has to go back and just rehab and get himself healthy. He’s a young player. He’s got a bright future, if healthy. So that’s what we didn’t see. We didn’t see the kid healthy enough to play.”

It is worth mentioning that Jordan has not played since 2014 due to suspensions and a lingering knee injury.

Giants

• Jordan Raanan of ESPN reports that RB Shane Vereen has cleared the league’s concussion protocol and is expect to play in Sunday’s game.

Lions

• Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press would not be surprised to see Lions DC Teryl Austin land a head coaching job this offseason, considering that Detroit’s defense has been among the best unit’s this season and he has previously interviewed with eight different teams already.
• Although Birkett does not think OC Jim Bob Cooter will draw the same demand as Austin, he could see him get one or two head coaching interviews this offseason.
• Birkett expects LB DeAndre Levy to have a slight increase in snaps this weekend and should have an increased role moving forward.

Panthers

• Panthers declared DE Charles Johnson (hamstring) and OT Daryl Williams (ankle) out for Week 15’s Monday night game. (Joe Person)
• Carolina also listed QB Cam Newton (shoulder), WR Kelvin Benjamin (back) and ILB Luke Kuechly (concussion) as questionable.
• Although Benjamin was listed as questionable, Panthers HC Ron Rivera said he “moved around well” during Saturday’s practice. (Joe Person)