Suspended Dolphins DE Dion Jordan to Apply for Reinstatement this Week

May 31, 2016 10:47 AM EDT

For Dion Jordan, he believes he's ready to play for the Miami Dolphins next season after getting suspended last year for violating the NFL's substance abuse rules. In fact, the defensive end is expected to apply for a reinstatement this week.

Jordan's suspension last season began in April 2015 after his drug test results turned out positive. Before that, he also had a six-game suspension in 2014.

In other words, life in the NFL hasn't really been that easy for the athlete, who joined the league in 2013 after getting selected by the Dolphins as the 3rd overall pick. But since last season, Jordan has been preparing for his comeback by shaping up and being careful with his activities. As noted by USA Today, he hasn't missed nor failed any weekly drug tests since last year.

Hoping to start the upcoming season with a clean record, Jordan is planning on applying for a reinstatement in the league. Hopefully, though, the NFL will see and believe that the athlete has really cleaned up and allowed him to play for the Dolphins.

"I just turned 26 years old, so life starts to hit you in the face," he said about his suspension according to USA Today. "Who are you outside of those shoulder pads and helmet? And it's weird, but I feel like it's a blessing for me at this point in time to think about it, instead of waiting 'til they really tell me I can't play football anymore."

Despite hitting a rough patch shortly after entering the NFL as a high prospect draft pick, Jordan is trying to make the most out of his current situation by learning from his experience. He noted that due to these events, he became more disciplined in both his personal and professional lives.

"I just want to play football," he 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."