Reshad Jones Not In Attendance For Start Of Minicamp

New Dolphins HC Brian Flores told reporters on Tuesday that veteran S Reshad Jones is not in attendance for the start of voluntary minicamp.

“Him and I have been in constant communication,” Flores said, per Adam Beasley. “He’s here, he’s part of the organization. He made a decision to train somewhere else. It’s voluntary.”

Flores added that Jones’ absence is not based on his roster status: “He and I have obviously communicated about it.”

Flores declined to say if Jones wants to be on the team or if he has asked for a trade, per Barry Jackson.

Jones did, however, attend offseason conditioning, according to Flores.

A few weeks ago, Armando Salguero mentioned that Jones will likely be released after the team attempts to trade him. Salguero explains that Jones would likely have already been released, but it would have cost more to cut him than keep him.

This changes next year when the Dolphins will pick up $11.5 million of cap space by releasing or trading him. If the Dolphins wait until after June 1 this year, they can save $13.1 million of cap room.

Salguero adds that it will not be surprising if the Dolphins try to trade Jones before the start of the 2019 regular season. Although, Salguero admits that Miami may only be able to get a low-round pick for him.

Even so, it would allow them to move Minkah Fitzpatrick to safety and pair him with T.J. McDonald.

Jones, 31, is a former fifth-round pick of the Dolphins back in 2010. He’s was in the final year of his five-year, $30.81 million contract when the Dolphins signed him to a five-year, $60 million extension that includes $35 million guaranteed in 2017. 

Jones stands to make a base salary of $13.01 million for the 2019 season. 

In 2018, Jones appeared in 14 games for the Dolphins and recorded 72 tackles, three interceptions, one defensive touchdown and nine pass defenses.