The Sports Xchange

Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan, suspended for the season due to a positive drug test, apologized Wednesday and said he will work on finishing his college degree during his time away from the NFL.

Jordan, the No. 3 overall pick out of Oregon in 2013, was suspended Tuesday because of a diluted test sample which counts as a positive test.

In a statement released by the NFLPA on Wednesday, Jordan said:

“I’m very disappointed that I will not be playing in the NFL in the 2015 season. Because of past positive tests and my status in the drug program, the consequence of diluted tests is severe. I deeply regret putting myself in this position, and I apologize to my teammates and the Dolphins organization. I will use the time away from playing to finish my college degree. I will stay in excellent physical shape and look forward to returning to the NFL as soon as possible. I’m deeply grateful to my family and friends for their continued support.”

Jordan had been suspended twice before — for four games each — for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

In two NFL seasons, Jordan has fallen short of expectations with just three sacks and 46 tackles in 26 regular-season games. The Dolphins traded up in the 2013 draft to land him.

“We were disappointed to learn about Dion Jordan’s most recent suspension for violating the NFL’s Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse,” the Dolphins said in a statement Tuesday. “A player’s health and well-being are of the utmost importance to us. We have made every effort to support Dion, both on and off the field and we will continue to do so to the extent allowable under NFL guidelines.”