The Miami Dolphins took a bit of a risk when drafting Dion Jordan with the third pick in last year’s NFL Draft. While a physical specimen, Jordan is raw and has a lot to learn.
After a mostly quiet rookie season, Jordan will now face a big setback as the Miami Dolphins announced he has been suspended for the first four games of the 2014 season:
DE Dion Jordan has been suspended without pay for the first four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) July 3, 2014
A positive test is potentially devestating and this news will absolutely make things more difficult for Jordan. He is someone who needs as much experience as possible, and the Dolphins were counting on him to wreck havoc on opposing quarterbacks.
Jordan released a statement through the Miami Dolphins and he took complete responsibility for the positive test:
I’m very sorry for the impact of this situation on my teammates, coaches, Stephen Ross, the entire Dolphins organization, fans and my family as well. I will continue to work extremely hard during training camp and preseason. During the suspension, I will stay in top shape and will be ready to contribute upon my return.
With Cameron Wake, one of the league’s top pass rushers, on the opposite side, Jordan is an excellent position to succeed, but now he will move further behind Olivier Vernon, who is also coming off a double-digit sack season.
It is still far too early in his career to call Jordan a bust, but if he doesn’t have an impressive season, those thoughts are sure to start creeping in. And he isn’t getting off to a good start.
