When the Dolphins traded up to take defensive end Dion Jordan in the first round, it seemed like a sure bet that he’d be competing for a starting job during camp.
The team’s in camp now and Jordan isn’t in the mix for a starting job, however. Defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle said that Jordan is not competing with Olivier Vernon for the job across from Cameron Wake “at this point” because he hasn’t gotten enough reps in practice to challenge for that role.
That seems unlikely to change as Jordan, who played seven snaps against the Jaguars after playing only on third downs in the Hall of Fame Game, has missed the last two days of practice because of an issue with his surgically repaired shoulder.
“We’re obviously taking some precaution with Dion, not wanting to overload him at this point,” Coyle said, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “We’ve got a plan in place that we think will get him ready to participate at the level we feel best at to complete the season.”
Coyle said that things could still change before the start of the season, but Vernon has done a solid enough job that it seems likely that Jordan will start the year as a pass rushing specialist. It might not have been exactly what anyone had it mind, although the defense will still be better for Jordan’s presence if he’s able to make an impact in that role.