It’s been a busy Tuesday for the Dolphins. In addition to shelving running back Knowshon Moreno for the season with an ACL injury, the Dolphins have announced that defensive end Derrick Shelby has been reinstated.
PFT reported Monday night that the Dolphins had reinstated Shelby, who had been suspended for conduct detrimental to the team following a bye-week arrest.
“We have completed our process and have made the determination to reinstate Derrick,” coach Joe Philbin said in a statement released by the Dolphins. “Derrick understood that he would be held accountable for his actions as they did not represent our organizational standards.”
“I want to apologize to Stephen Ross, Coach Philbin, my teammates and our fans,” Shelby said. “I accept responsibility for the distraction I caused the team last week. I have learned from my past actions and am fully committed to representing the Dolphins organization in a first-class manner on and off the field.”
It’s unclear whether the Dolphins decided on their own to reinstate Shelby, or whether the NFL Players Association pressured the team to abandon an effort to discipline a player on an issue that falls within the jurisdiction of the NFL.
Regardless, the NFL likely won’t be able to punish Shelby under the personal conduct policy. The labor deal prevents multiple punishments for the same conduct.
