Miami Dolphins sign former Cardinals DL Robert Nkemdiche

On two separate occasions this offseason, the Arizona Cardinals have parted ways with a former first-round pick who will play for the Miami Dolphins in 2019.

Defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, whom the Cardinals released on July 27, signed with the Fins on Thursday, joining Josh Rosen, his former quarterback.

The team announced the signing, adding that Nkemdiche was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

Nkemdiche’s release nearly two weeks ago came after head coach Kliff Kingsbury told media that the 29th overall pick in 2016 reported to training camp in sub-standard physical condition.

“Not in shape, I guess? That’s kind of where we’ll leave it,” Kingsbury said.

It also comes after a tumultuous offseason that saw off-the-field legal trouble for Nkemdiche, who was arrested in early June for speeding and driving on a suspended license. Police found a white powdery substance in the center console of Nkemdiche’s car, where a credit card holder resided. The substance was not tested and was impounded with Nkemdiche’s approval.

“It’s just a performance-based business and we decided as an organization that was best for us,” Kingsbury said. “We wish him well and hope he gets a fresh start somewhere else. And that’s really all it came down to.”

Before he arrived in the desert, Nkemdiche was a standout at Ole Miss. Seen as a top-10 talent coming out of the draft, he concerned NFL teams when he was arrested on drug charges in December of 2015 after falling out of a hotel window and was suspended from Ole Miss’ Sugar Bowl appearance.

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