DAVIE, Fla. _ Reshad Jones may be the only prominent Miami Dolphins player to not participate in voluntary team workouts this week.
But that does not mean his status with the team is in question.
Dolphins general Chris Grier said on Wednesday he has not given Jones permission to seek a trade, nor has Jones requested a trade to another team.
Grier also expects Jones to remain in Miami for the 2019 season.
"I haven't given him permission to seek a trade. He doesn't want a trade _ at least he has not informed me," Grier said a week before the NFL draft. "Reshad is going to be here."
Jones, whose absence from voluntary workouts this week has been acceptable to Grier and new coach Brian Flores, is set to make $13 million in base salary next season. He is also recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.
His contract is virtually immovable without a trade partner willing to accept Jones' contract if he disagrees to a restructured deal. Jones' deal is scheduled to pay him $11.4 million in 2020, $10.4 million in 2021 and $11.9 million in 2022.
"As you know, I've known Reshad probably the longest out of everyone here," Grier said referring to their first meeting before the 2010 NFL draft where Jones was taken in the fifth round out of Georgia.
"And I like Reshad a lot. This is a voluntary camp. He chose not to be here. We'd love to have him here. He's a Miami Dolphin. But he's earned the right to do it, and he's not the only guy in the league doing it. It's voluntary and we know how this game is for everybody.
"But no, we've not given him permission and he has not asked."
The Dolphins would endure a $17.1 million cap hit and lose $25.15 million in dead money if they cut Jones before June 1.
A more likely option for the Dolphins would be to trade Jones after June 1, which would result in $4.045 million in dead money with $13.1 million in cap savings.
Even with those factors in mind, including the maturation of 2018 first-round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick, Grier was adamant about the Dolphins' commitment to Jones in the immediate future.
