Dion Jordan saga continues for Dolphins
By Dan Heaning
Dion Jordan was placed on the non-football injury list today. After failing a physical due to a knee injury, the former third overall pick’s future with the team is murky.
The Dion Jordan saga continued on its tumultuous path today to the displeasure of Miami Dolphins fans everywhere.
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After gaining a conditional reinstatement from the National Football League, Jordan was unable to practice in yesterday’s and today’s practices.
He spent the whole day of practice inside on Saturday. Dolphins fans found out this morning that it was because of his knee.
The reaction from some fans hasn’t been too favorable.
Dion Jordan is a running joke at this point. https://t.co/7nTJihGwmj
— Sosu (@EightballCNU) July 31, 2016
The Dolphins believe the injury will sideline Jordan for two to three weeks or so, according to Armando Salguero.
This puts Jordan’s attempt to be the “comeback player of this year” as his agent boldly predicted during the offseason in jeopardy.
Will the Dolphins want to hang on to someone with so many hiccups or would it just be better to cut him now and move on?
Well, the problem with cutting Jordan this season is he comes with over $3 million in dead money with zero cap savings.
Another issue is the Miami Dolphins want some of their money back.
Many took note that Jordan won’t get his $1.7-million-dollar signing bonus by going on the non-football injury list and, therefore, will miss the fifth day of practice. However, the Dolphins weren’t going to pay Jordan that money even if he met the conditions, according to ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio.
"“Jordan still wouldn’t have gotten the money, as a practical matter. The team, according to the source, would have retained the amount in order to partially recoup the $3.35 million in signing bonus money forfeited by Jordan due to his latest suspension. To date, the Dolphins have recovered none of the money.”"
So not only would cutting Jordan have a negative impact on the Dolphins’ cap situation this season, but they’d be out the rest of the money Jordan owes them.
If the Dolphins hold on to Jordan, he can start earning some of that money and the Dolphins can retain it. From a business standpoint, it’s a no-brainer. Keep Jordan. Get your money back.
On the field, though, this is where things get rough.
A possible saving grace for Jordan making the team or having any kind of significant impact was the possibility of playing linebacker. The linebacking corps is a weak position for the club and if Jordan could make the switch back to his old college position that may have benefited both parties.
However, Omar Kelly reported from training camp that Jordan looks more like a defensive end. Jordan has played defensive end since he’s joined the Dolphins.
Dion Jordan clearly looks like a defensive end these days. Have him listed at 275. That's generous. pic.twitter.com/4Q4APS6H5H
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 31, 2016
This may put to rest the idea of Jordan playing linebacker and, if it does, then he’ll face stiff competition from the other defensive ends on the Dolphins roster. That competition, given the amount of time Jordan will miss and the depth at the position, may be too much for the former Oregon Duck to overcome.
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Though, this extra time away from the practice field could help defensive coordinator Vance Joseph figure out the best spot and role for Jordan. While linebacker isn’t a strong position for the Dolphins, their top two defensive ends are on the wrong side of 30 and injuries could be a concern at the position for this season. So, honestly, Jordan could be useful at either spot. It’s all dependent on how he performs.
Only time will tell on all of that, though.
As for the immediate future, the team is enduring “step one of 500” as head coach Adam Gase said about Jordan’ return yesterday. They seem set on giving the man another chance.
Maybe with that chance, he can make the coach’s decision easy. However, nothing has been easy about Jordan’s tenure in the aqua and orange.