T.J.

McDonald

Releasing McDonald saves $5.1 million against the cap, which makes some sense for the rebuilding Dolphins, but the former third-round pick was quite productive last year and could start on some teams. Last year, McDonald racked up 86 tackles while picking off three passes. Only entering his age-28 season, McDonald will be given another opportunity elsewhere.

McDonald, the No. 71 overall pick, is penciled in as the Rams’ starting strong safety, but his cover skills are suspect. The Rams could elect to keep him closer to the line of scrimmage like they did with Quintin Mikell. McDonald possesses a boat load of athleticism, but he took a lot of bad angles at USC.

McDonald (6-foot-2 1/2, 219) is the latest in a long line of big, athletic USC safeties with suspect cover skills. Taylor Mays and Darnell Bing came before him. The son of six-time Pro Bowler Tim McDonald, T.J. started 36 college games, recording eight interceptions and 12 tackles for loss. He ran 4.59 at the Combine with a 40-inch vertical and 10-foot-11 broad jump. McDonald is long on athleticism, but was just as long on missed tackles in 2012, taking too many bad angles. He’s a strong safety-only who will need to be covered up by the scheme. The Rams have holes at both safety spots, so he could see significant snaps as a rookie.

He does not need surgery and will be eligible for return in Week 13. The Rams loved what they were getting from McDonald early in the season, but will now be forced to turn to journeyman Matt Giordano, who is a major liability in pass coverage.

McDonald was carted off the field and had an air cast on his right leg. He’s out for the remainder of the game and is likely looking at an extended absence. Matt Giordano replaced him in the starting lineup and immediately gave up a touchdown to Vernon Davis.

McDonald is out indefinitely and will likely be placed on injured reserve. It’s a tough blow to a Rams’ secondary that also lost Cortland Finnegan (thigh) to injury. Matt Giordano should get the majority of playing time in McDonald’s absence.

McDonald resumed practicing Wednesday and is expected to return this week against the Bears. He should immediately regain his starting job over fill-in FS Darian Stewart. The Rams placed CB Cortland Finnegan on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

McDonald underwent shoulder surgery last December. He went on to have a drama-filled offseason, including a drunk driving arrest. He’s facing a suspension.

The charges stem from his early May arrest. McDonald is scheduled to appear in court on October 7. He’ll be subject to a suspension once the case gets resolved.

McDonald was originally charged with driving under the influence of drugs after he was arrested last May, but he pleaded to a lesser offense. McDonald was sentenced to three years probation, ordered to complete a three-month alcohol program, and ordered to complete one-month residential drug program among other penalties. Likely to face a suspension now that the legal situation is resolved, McDonald could find a quieter than expected market in free agency.