Miami Dolphins rookie defensive end Dion Jordan will start training camp on the non-football injury list, coach Joe Philbin said Sunday.
Jordan, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, signed his rookie contract Saturday and has been recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, so starting camp on the NFI list is not shocking.
"We felt that was the best option," Philbin said, declining to further elaborate.
Jordan remains a week or two away from contact, ProFootballTalk.com reported, citing a league source.
Jordan can be moved to the Dolphins' active roster at any time during camp and the preseason. If he isn't activated before final roster cuts, Jordan will remain out for the first six weeks of the regular season.
The rookie met with reporters after Sunday's workout and deferred to Dolphins coaches as to when he'll return to the field.
"The main thing for me is just to take care of my body," Jordan said. "I want to be able to help these guys, and I can't do it if I'm not 100 percent. I'm going to take care of my body and make sure I'm ready to go."
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