Safety T.J. McDonald won’t be eligible to play in the first half of the 2017 season, but that hasn’t stopped him from landing a job for the second half of the year.
The Dolphins announced that they have signed McDonald after a recent visit. McDonald was ranked at No. 67 on PFT’s list of the top free agents.
McDonald will serve an eight-game suspension as a result of last year’s arrest for crashing into a parked car. McDonald ultimately pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and will be able to work with the team during the offseason, training camp and preseason before serving his ban.
McDonald was a starter in all four of his seasons with the Rams. He had 64 tackles, two interceptions and a sack in 16 starts last season.
The Dolphins extended Reshad Jones’ contract earlier this offseason, but a neck injury led them to part ways with 2016 starter Isa Abdul-Quddus. They also signed former Raider Nate Allen, who will be an option to join Jones in the secondary until McDonald is ready to go.