Dion Jordan Suspended for 2015 NFL Season: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The Miami Dolphins traded up in the 2013 NFL draft to select Dion Jordan at No. 3 overall. Now they'll be without him for the entire 2015 season due to a suspension for another violation of the league's substance abuse policy, the team announced:

On April 29, Jordan released a statement via the NFLPA: 

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I'm very disappointed that I will not be playing in the NFL in the 2015 season.  Because of past positive tests and my status in the drug program, the consequence of dilute (not positive) tests is severe.  I deeply regret putting myself in this position, and I apologize to my teammates and the Dolphins organization.  I will use the time away from playing to finish my college degree.  I will stay in excellent physical shape and look forward to returning to the NFL as soon as possible.  I’m deeply grateful to my family and friends for their continued support.

"

James Walker of ESPN provided a statement from the Dolphins:

Adam Schefter of ESPN provided more details on the failed test:

Per Marc Sessler of NFL.com, Jordan "was suspended without pay for the first four games of last season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Jordan was subsequently suspended an additional four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy."

The latest suspension comes at a terrible time for the Dolphins, who have reportedly been looking to deal Jordan, per Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald:

Salguero later provided more details surrounding the trade talks:

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A source tells the Miami Herald the Dolphins have been trying to trade Jordan since March. They have spoken to a dozen teams who showed interest. The Philadelphia Eagles showed the most interest and one source said a deal could have been made during the draft.

At one point the sides were discussing a deal that included Philadelphia guard Evan Mathis but that idea was dismissed by the Dolphins. The teams would more likely have exchanged Jordan for a later round draft pick.

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Jeff McLane of Philly.com also commented on the potential deal: "The Eagles had a trade in the works that would have sent a conditional late round draft pick to the Dolphins for edge rusher Dion Jordan, NFL sources said."

Schefter added more details:

Andrew Abramson of The Palm Beach Post highlighted the financial implications of Jordan's suspension:

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Jordan’s cap hit this year was supposed to be $5.3 million. He will not get paid during the suspension but $3 million of his salary is prorated bonus money. The Dolphins also have another $3 million signing bonus cap hit for Jordan in 2016.

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As Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk and ESPN's Ed Werder noted, Jordan hasn't exactly lived up to the investment the Dolphins made in him:

In two seasons, Jordan, 25, has posted just 46 combined tackles and three sacks. While he has been a solid special teams contributor and has been quite good dropping into coverage, the Dolphins traded up for him in the hopes that he would be a dynamic playmaker, not a decent role player.     

Not only that, but this latest suspension has also likely nixed any future trade value he might have had.

Still, Jordan is a young player who has the opportunity to turn his career around after he serves this latest suspension. There is no doubting his athleticism, and he hasn't been completely unproductive in Miami, even if he hasn't turned into the player the Dolphins thought they were drafting.

Jordan still has the chance to carve a niche for himself in the league, even if it ultimately is with another organization. For the Dolphins, however, the news is a blow as they approach the new season.