Dion Jordan Comments on Potential NFL Reinstatement, Past Issues

Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan was suspended for all of last season, is applying for reinstatement on Wednesday and is eager to prove he isn't a bust.  

Jordan spoke at length about his NFL career to USA Today's Tom Pelissero in a feature that ran Monday:

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I'm not about to waste it. I can't waste it. And I (expletive) love doing it. Who doesn’t love running out in front of 30,000-plus fans and you get that rush? But it's also things that you can get that rush from that can be very satisfying and can carry you on to a successful life after football. I just turned 26 years old, so life starts to hit you in the face. Who are you outside of those shoulder pads and helmet? And it's weird, but I feel like it's a blessing for me at this point in time to think about it, instead of waiting 'til they really tell me I can't play football no more.

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Whatever he does to make amends in the future, the Dolphins can't get back the lost years they invested in Jordan, who was selected No. 3 overall in the 2013 NFL draft out of Oregon. Miami even traded up to acquire him, but he hasn't rewarded the gamble to date.

Per Pelissero, it generally takes 30 to 45 days following a reinstatement filing for a decision, which is likely how long Jordan will wait to see if he's permitted to return to the gridiron in 2016.

Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post cited a source who said the team would welcome Jordan back if he's reinstated. The 26-year-old moved in with family in early October.

Jordan insisted he doesn't have a drug problem despite positive tests for MDMA and marijuana in 2014, followed by the diluted sample that got him suspended for 2015. He understands he brought the unsavory situation on himself and is trying to stay positive despite a cloudy outlook, per Pelissero:

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I just want to play football. Because I got myself in trouble, I really ain't got the say-so in a lot of things. But I do have the say-so in how I approach every day, how I approach my workout, how I deal with people, outside when I walk the streets, and how I wake up every morning as far as getting done what I need to do to get back on the football field.

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Since training with Tareq Azim at Empower, per Pelissero, Jordan has lost 12 to 13 pounds of fat and weighs slightly less than 270 pounds at 6'6" tall.

"(Jordan) was very emotional about his interest in wanting to do his presence justice," said Azim of Jordan, per Pelissero. "He believed in me for a moment there; therefore, I have to give that belief back. Until we feel each other’s values not being reciprocated, I’ll ride to the death with the kid."

Jordan has a rare combination of size and athleticism that could make him a force to be reckoned with off the edge. The Dolphins have a loaded defensive front already with Ndamukong Suh, Cameron Wake, Mario Williams and Jordan Phillips, but the unit would be even more dangerous with Jordan on the field.

Whether Jordan ever gets that chance is another matter. Per Spotrac, he's slated to be an unrestricted free agent after this coming season, and Miami could well let him go, given his past off-field issues.

Jordan has yet to show the skills or upside the Dolphins thought they were signing up for, with only 46 combined tackles and three sacks since entering the league. That will have to change drastically for Miami or any other NFL team to trust Jordan as he comes into what is hopefully the prime of his career.