Dion Jordan set to make first return in 3 years for Seahawks-Cardinals
Nov 9, 2017, 7:00 AM | Updated: 8:41 am
Dion Jordan, 27, has played in only 26 games since he was drafted third overall in 2013. (AP)
(AP)
Thursday will mark the first return to the field in nearly three years for defensive end Dion Jordan.
The Seahawks activated Jordan to the 53-man roster Wednesday, and head coach Pete Carroll confirmed he will play in the Seahawks’ Thursday night matchup against the Arizona Cardinals in Phoenix.
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In a corresponding move, the team placed tackle Rees Odhiambo on Injured Reserve.
“We’re anxious to see him,” Carroll told reporters during his final injury report. “He’s practiced very well, he’s in great shape, so we’ll see how he does. (We) look forward to not overloading him play-wise, but just get him some play time and start building him back into it and see where he fits.”
The 6-feet-6, 248-pound defensive end was selected third overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, but a year-long suspension kept him from playing in the 2015 season. He entered free agency in 2016 after failing a physical with the Dolphins.
Before coming to Seattle, Jordan opened up in an interview about his suspension from the league, telling USA Today Sports he wasn’t about to waste a new opportunity.
“I just want to play football,” Jordan said. “Because I got myself in trouble, I really ain’t got the say-so in a lot of things. But I do have the say-so in how I approach every day, how I approach my workout, how I deal with people, outside when I walk the streets, and how I wake up every morning as far as getting done what I need to do to get back on the football field.”
Jordan, 27, signed a one-year deal with Seattle in April. Shortly after signing with Seattle, he had a third knee surgery, this time to clean up “some loose bodies” – as described by head coach Pete Carroll – from a previous procedure.
After starting the season on the Non-Football Injury list, Jordan was able to return to practice two weeks ago in a limited capacity.
Jordan will likely start with a light load in his return, though he could ultimately be a boost for Seattle’s pass rush. The team signed Dwight Freeney to fill a spot created by the loss of Cliff Avril, though he will continue to have limited snaps. 710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton wrote of Jordan’s ability shortly after he came aboard with the Seahawks, and noted Jordan would be able to help either as a pass rusher or as a strong-side linebacker:
“There were times in his first two years that Jordan did some amazing things. As a rookie in 2013, Jordan, then a linebacker, was asked to cover Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. He ran with him step for step and did the same the next season against Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson. The Seahawks should see if Jordan, now 27, still has the freaky speed he had when he was 23 and 24.”
