Miami Dolphins coaches spent much of Dion Jordan’s rookie season addressing why Jordan wasn’t on the field more often. That question won’t be asked for the first four games of 2014 while Jordan serves a suspension without pay for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Jordan, a second-year defensive end, can participate in preseason practices and games but won’t be on the active roster until Sept. 29, the day after the Dolphins’ game in London against Oakland. Being suspended for one quarter of the season will cost Jordan approximately $123,750 in base salary.
The consensus opinion on the long-limbed, 6-6, 260-pound Jordan going into the off-season held that he needed to add weight to enhance his athleticism and potential. The Dolphins considered getting Jordan into the weight room a priority. Media members observing off-season workouts noticed that he appeared to have added 15 to 20 pounds.
But according to Jordan’s team-released statement, he tested positive for a banned stimulant, not a steroid or growth hormone.
“I worked carefully with my advisors and the union to investigate the test results,” Jordan said in the statement, “and I take full responsibility for the test results.”
Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin, also in a team-released statement, said, “We were disappointed to learn about Dion’s suspension. Dion has accepted responsibility for his actions and is committed to improving, both on and off the field, in preparation for the upcoming year.”
Despite the Dolphins — under the direction of then-general manager Jeff Ireland — moving up in the 2013 draft to take Jordan at No. 3 overall, Philbin’s staff played him sparingly in the base defense and used him more as a third-down pass-rusher. Jordan finished with only 26 tackles and 2 sacks and didn’t start a single game.
Retired Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, also a lanky pass-rusher with more athleticism and speed than brute strength, worked with Jordan during off-season workouts.
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