NFL Reinstating Dolphins DE Dion Jordan On Conditional Basis

Update:

The NFL has officially confirmed the news is statement released on Friday.

Commissioner ROGER GOODELL notified DION JORDAN of the Miami Dolphins today that he has been reinstated to the NFL on a conditional basis.   

Jordan may join the Dolphins at training camp and participate in meetings, conditioning work and similar activities. Once arrangements have been confirmed regarding Jordan’s clinical resources in Miami, he will be permitted to participate in all preseason activities, including practices and games.

Prior to the start of the regular season, Jordan will meet with the NFL to review his progress. Based on his compliance and engagement with his program and resources, 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 had been suspended indefinitely since April 2015 without pay following multiple violations of the NFL-NFLPA Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. 

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the NFL is reinstating suspended DE Dion Jordan.

• Rapoport adds that like Browns WR Josh Gordon, Jordan’s reinstatement is conditional and he’ll be in counseling and will be reevaluated before the start of the season.
• As long as Jordan complies with his program, he’ll be able to play in Week 1 and will be reevaluated at a later time, per Rapoport.

If the NFL was going to reinstate Gordon in time for training camp, it made sense that they would do the same for Jordan.

Jordan previously stressed that he isn’t going to waste another opportunity in the NFL, despite his prior transgressions.

“I’m not about to waste it. I can’t waste it. And I (expletive) love doing it,” Jordan told USA TODAY Sports. “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.”

Jordan, 26, still has two years remaining on his four-year, $20.572 million rookie contract, which includes base salaries of $600,000 (2016) and $690,000 (2017) after his contract tolled during the suspension. Miami will also have a team option on Jordan in 2018.

The Dolphins traded up to No. 3 overall back in 2012 to select Jordan, but he hasn’t come anywhere close to living up to his draft status.

The Dolphins owe Jordan a $1.690 million roster bonus on August 1.

In 2014, Jordan appeared in 10 games and recorded 20 tackles, one sack, and a pass defense for the Dolphins.