The Miami Dolphins signed veteran safety T.J. McDonald on Friday, fortifying the team's depth in the secondary. However, McDonald, who started 53 games for the Rams over the past four years, won't be allowed to play the first eight games of the 2017 season because of an NFL suspension.
The league ruled that McDonald violated its substance abuse policy after an incident in May in which he was suspected of driving under the influence of prescription drugs. McDonald pleaded no contest to a lesser charge in January, and his suspension was announced Wednesday.
"I'm definitely paying the price for the mistakes that I've made, that I'm definitely going to own up to," McDonald said Friday on a conference call after his signing. "This is something that will never happen again, and I've learned (from it)."
McDonald, a former USC standout the Rams selected in the third round of the 2013 draft, had 285 tackles, five sacks, and four interceptions in his first four NFL seasons.
Last season, the 6-foot-2, 217-pound McDonald recorded 64 tackles, two interceptions and one sack in his 16 starts. Considered one of the top available free agents this offseason, he's a versatile safety who has range and plays with physicality.
He is the son of Tim McDonald, who also starred USC and played 13 years in the NFL for the Cardinals and 49ers. Tim McDonald served as secondary coach for the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills during Rex Ryan's tenure as head coach.
T.J. McDonald, who turned 26 in January, is the second safety the Dolphins have signed this offseason, joining Nate Allen, who signed a one-year deal worth $3.4 million. The Dolphins have also tendered veteran safety Michael Thomas, committing to pay the special teams ace $1.8 million for 2017. However, Thomas, who has started 23 games at safety and nickel cornerback for the Dolphins over the past three seasons, hasn't signed the tender yet.
Terms of McDonald's deal have not been disclosed, but his addition should give the Dolphins three capable starters to pair with Reshad Jones at safety. How McDonald fits will be determined during organized team activities and training camp.
McDonald will be allowed to participate in Miami's offseason program and camp. Once the regular season starts, he can participate in meetings and work out at the facility, but he cannot practice, play in games or travel with the team until his suspension concludes.
"My back is up against the wall," said McDonald, who will only be paid for the eight games in which he participates. "I'm just happy to be able to move forward with this and be able to just get back to playing ball. It's all about ball for me right now."
Despite McDonald's signing, safety remains a position of need for the Dolphins heading into April's NFL draft because Allen, Thomas, Walt Aikens and possibly McDonald are all expected to become unrestricted free agents in 2018. Bacarri Rambo, who started five of the game games he played for the Dolphins after he was signed in late October, remains a free agent.
The Dolphins typically carry five or six safeties on the 53-man roster, and last season four ended up starting at least six games.
