Dolphins Reinstate LB Lawrence Timmons From Suspension, Will Play In Week 4

Adam Schefter is reporting that the Dolphins have reinstated LB Lawrence Timmons on Tuesday and the plan is for him to play in Week 4’s game against the Saints.

The Dolphins suspended Timmons indefinitely after he surprising went missing before their Week 2 game against the Chargers.

This past weekend, Jason La Canfora reported that Timmons actually showed up at the Steelers’ practice during Week 1 unannounced while the Dolphins were on bye, due to the hurricane. Sources told La Canfora the Steelers allowed Timmons into the team’s facility and he watched at least part of practice from the sidelines.

For the most part, the Steelers had no idea Timmons was going to be at practice, but he did tell some of the coaches that he wanted to visit with the team.

La Canfora has spoken to sources who have said that Timmons told some of his former teammates that he wanted to be back in Pittsburgh and said some things along the lines that it was a mistake for him to leave.

The Dolphins made it clear that there was a trust violation that led to Timmons being suspended, but they clearly weren’t giving up on him as a contributor for this year.

It’s worth mentioning that Timmons’ suspension cost him 58,823 in salary for the one week he was suspended and he could be forced to pay the Dolphins back a portion of his $5.5 million signing bonus, depending on what Miami wants to do regarding this situation. Although, the fact that they’ve already reinstated him would suggest that they likely won’t go after this money.

Timmons, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Steelers back in 2007. He’s spent all 10 seasons of his career in Pittsburgh and played out the final year of his six-year, $50 million contract before agreeing to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Dolphins this offseason.

In 2016, Timmons appeared in all 16 games for the Steelers and recorded 114 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and five pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 70 inside linebacker out of 87 qualifying players.