Ifo Ekpre-Olomu Given Full Medical Clearance

One of last season’s most explosive rookies had his season ended before it began, and there was even concern that he would never see the field. But early in 2016, Miami Dolphins cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu has been medically cleared to participate in football again.

According to NFL Network reporter Rand Getlin, the corner has “received full medical clearance” and is “ready to go” for all upcoming offseason activities in the lead up to training camp.

A standout defensive back at Oregon, Ekpre-Olomu was touted by some as the top senior DB available in last year’s draft. However, an unfortunate ACL injury and knee dislocation suffered during a practice session in the lead up to the 2015 Rose Bowl tumbled him from a sure-fire NFL talent to a disappearance off most teams’ big boards entirely.

The Cleveland Browns eventually drafted Ekpre-Olomu in the seventh round with the expectation that he would sit out the entirety of his rookie season. He was curiously waived by the Browns in April 2016, in a move that suggests Cleveland either didn’t know or didn’t care about the progress of his rehabilitation. Enter the Dolphins, who claimed Ekpre-Olomu on a whim off waivers with the low-risk hope that he would fortify a defensive backfield lacking depth.

Many have compared Ekpre-Olomu’s injury situation that of top 2016 prospect Jaylon Smith. But unlike Smith, Ifo’s knee dislocation compounded with the ACL tear almost certainly resulted in severe nerve damage to boot; a lucky dip as far as complete recovery goes.

And while he may never fully regain the combination of speed and athleticism that made him a feared corner in college, his return on investment could be high for a team curious to see how far he’s come. The Dolphins’ training camp could be the make-or-break point of Ekpre-Olomu’s young career.