When the Dolphins placed rookie defensive end Dion Jordan on the non-football injury list, word was that he would miss a week or two of training camp to make sure his surgically repaired shoulder was sound enough to get back on the field.
Things have speeded up a bit. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins have activated Jordan from the NFI list and team broadcaster Jesse Agler sent out a picture of Jordan heading out to the field in full pads on Tuesday morning.
It’s a long-awaited moment for Jordan, who was barred from attending offseason work for the Dolphins because the University of Oregon was in session through the end of OTAs. Jordan’s return to the field means that he can fully join the battle for playing time up front in Miami.
Olivier Vernon has been working as the starting defensive end across from Cameron Wake through the first few days of training camp and plans to make a strong case for holding onto the job, but there’s little doubt that Jordan, the third overall pick in the 2013 draft, is going to get plenty of chances to show he’s worthy of extended playing time. Depending on the formation in use, Jordan could also find time as a linebacker and the Dolphins can begin sorting that out now that he’s healthy enough to practice.