The Miami Dolphins placed two injured defenders on the league's reserve, non-football injury list, trimming the training camp roster to 75 players by the NFL's 4 p.m. Tuesday deadline.
Defensive end Dion Jordan, who has been rehabbing a knee injury all training camp, and linebacker Zach Vigil, who has been nursing a back injury that has prevented him from practicing, were placed on the reserve list, which is similar to the PUP list.
Both defenders will be eligible to be activated after sitting out the first six weeks of the season. Much like cornerback Chris Culliver, who is on the Dolphins' PUP list, Jordan and Vigil will not count against the Dolphins' 53-man roster.
The non-football injury, reserve list is similar to the PUP list, but is based on the timing of injuries. The most obvious difference would be injuries suffered off the football field. It centers on a player getting hurt away from team activities. The team had to receive permission from the NFL to designate a player on the NFI list.
One notable difference between the NFI and PUP lists is that the team has the right to not pay base salary to a player on the NFI list. However, teams will often work out deals with NFI players to pay some, or all of their salary.
Jordan, who spent all of last season suspended for violating the NFL's substance abuse policies, will likely compete for one of eight or nine defensive lineman spots on the 53-man roster when he's cleared to practice. Jordan has spent the past four weeks rehabbing his left knee injury, but hasn't done any running during those rehab sessions, which hints he's not close to returning to the football field.
Vigil, an undrafted rookie who started two of the 16 games he played last season, contributing 18 tackles, was supposed to be the Dolphins' backup inside linebacker, and a core special teams contributor.
The Dolphins must trim the training camp roster from 75 players to 53 by 4 p.m. this Saturday.
