When the Miami Dolphins signed safety T.J. McDonald in March, they raised a few eyebrows. Just days before signing with the Dolphins, McDonald was suspended eight games by the NFL for violating the league’s Policy and Program for Substance Abuse.

So what can the Dolphins expect from McDonald despite his suspension for half the season?

“I feel like I can do a little bit of everything,” McDonald said to reporters earlier this month. “I feel like I’m a physical safety. If I’m down in the box, I have some range where I can go. I have some ball skills to go catch the ball. I feel like I can do a little bit of everything. Whatever the coaches, whatever the position they want me to play in, or whatever the case may be, I like the scheme that we have going on. I’m getting comfortable in it. Whatever they ask me to do, I’ll be able to do it.”

In four seasons playing for the Rams organization, McDonald tallied 285 tackles, five sacks and four interceptions. In 2016, McDonald recorded 64 tackles, a sack and two interceptions.

During OTAs and minicamp, McDonald was working at strong safety, a position he is familiar with. Although McDonald is one of the better safeties in the NFL, the team will have challenges with how much they play him early on.

McDonald will be allowed to practice and play during the preseason. But on September 2 at 4 p.m., his suspension will begin and continue until after the Dolphins’ Week 8 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. McDonald won’t be able to practice, travel with the team or even talk to the media, but he will be able to attend meetings and watch game film at the Dolphins facility.

Even though McDonald will sit out the first eight games, he along with Reshad Jones could give the Dolphins one of the better safety tandems in the league. McDonald will first need to impress the Dolphins coaching staff during training camp and the preseason.