DAVIE, Fla. -- Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan joined the team Tuesday for the first time since serving his six-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance enhancing and substance abuse policies. The last time Miami's players and coaches saw Jordan in the locker room was on Aug. 28, following the team's preseason finale against the St. Louis Rams.
Jordan returned to the team humbled and said he's "blessed" and "thankful" for the Dolphins accepting him back on the team.
"My main concern was to take care of myself so I can be a better person for myself, my family and the guys I'm in this locker room with," Jordan said. "That's what's important at the end of the day. Secondly, I'm making sure I'm mentally able to do my best and perform at the highest ability that I know I can."
Jordan, 24, must turn his career around quickly if he's going to stay in Miami long-term. The No. 3 overall draft pick in 2013, Jordan was a major disappointment as a rookie, recording just 26 tackles and two sacks.
Now there are off-field questions regarding Jordan after dual suspensions for performance enhancers and substance abuse that cost him six games this season. Although it is unknown what caused the two positives tests, Jordan said he spent time getting his life in order and that Dolphins fans "should be confident I'm drug-free."
"It's definitely a lesson learned," Jordan said. "I'm human just like everybody else here. I made a mistake."
Miami (3-3) will travel to play the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6) on Sunday, and the Dolphins won't decide whether to activate Jordan until later in the week. Jordan participated on special teams and worked with the defensive line Tuesday during the portion of practice open to the media.
"Obviously there's a physical component of it, and then the mental," coach Joe Philbin said. "Is he up to speed enough on the game plan? Does he understand his role well enough? Are we comfortable with the amount of repetitions we've been able to give him in a short amount of time that he can go out and play with confidence and execute the job he has to do?"
Jordan, despite recent trouble, was quick to point out that his skills have not diminished.
"My abilities haven't changed," Jordan said. "So I'm going to go out there and continue to give it my best. Actually, I'm going to help these guys out and make it a lot easier for these guys so [Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon] don't have to take as many reps as they've been taking the last few weeks."