The Miami Dolphins have agreed to terms with free-agent safety T.J. McDonald on Friday despite a recent eight-game suspension.
A source told ESPN that McDonald signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins, who welcomed him in a tweet Friday.
Welcome to Miami, T.J. McDonald! pic.twitter.com/qR1Y69ZERF
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) March 31, 2017
News of the suspension became public earlier this week during McDonald's free-agent visit with the Dolphins. The NFL found 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.
McDonald said he and the Dolphins were aware of the probable suspension.
"For me, definitely this is something that will never happen again," McDonald said on a conference call Friday. "I've learned, I've owned up to it, and I definitely want to grow from it. Priorities change. Everything has changed."
McDonald, 26, played in all 16 games for the Los Angeles Rams last season and recorded 64 tackles, two interceptions and one sack. The Rams figured that punishment from the NFL would eventually come down on McDonald but were going to move on from him anyway.
In an email to ESPN after the suspension was announced, his agent, Andrew Kessler, wrote: "It is very unfortunate that T.J. will miss the first eight games this season, but he and I are both looking forward to him returning to regular-season action when eligible."
Although McDonald will not be active until midseason, the Dolphins need depth at safety opposite former Pro Bowler Reshad Jones, who recently signed a $60 million extension. Miami released Isa Abdul-Quddus after a neck injury suffered at the end of last season. The Dolphins have signed free agent Nate Allen, who is expected to begin the 2017 season in the starting lineup.
"I'm coming back [after the suspension] against the wall," McDonald said. "I'm just happy to go move forward with this and being able to get back to playing ball. It's all about ball for me right now."
An aggressive, ball-hawking strong safety, McDonald started 43 of 48 games for the Rams over the past three seasons, compiling three interceptions, 14 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, four sacks and 171 total tackles.
McDonald was selected by the Rams in the third round of the 2013 draft out of USC.
ESPN's Alden Gonzalez contributed to this report.