Miami coach Joe Philbin hinted Wednesday that Dolphins fans should prepare "to see a lot" of rookie pass rusher Dion Jordan in the coming weeks. The team's first-round draft pick on Thursday did more than drop hints.
Asked if he'd be ready for Miami's season opener against the Cleveland Browns, Jordan told reporters: "If they need me to play, then I will be out there. I can play."
The third overall pick in April's draft, Jordan returned to practice Tuesday after seeing his summer washed away by discomfort in his surgically repaired shoulder. Jordan barely has practiced since being drafted and hasn't played since seeing limited snaps in the Dolphins' preseason debut against the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 4.
"This is really testing my patience," Jordan said, per The Palm Beach Post. "But I'm going to make sure I'm ready to go when I step out on the field. When you're injured, man, it's a hill to climb. I'm climbing that hill."
It sounds like the Browns should game plan to see Jordan on Sept. 8. With Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon penciled in at defensive end, there's no reason to push the rookie onto the field, but Miami will find ways to mix Jordan into passing downs against Cleveland. That could translate into a Grade A headache for Brandon Weeden and Co.
The "Around The League Podcast" is now available on iTunes! Click here to listen and subscribe.
