Dolphins’ Kendrick Norton to be released from hospital, two weeks after car accident, amputation

Jul. 18--Kendrick Norton, the Miami Dolphins defensive tackle and former University of Miami standout who was involved in a career-ending car accident two weeks ago, will be released from the hospital on Thursday.

"Great news. @norton_kendrick is being released from the hospital today!" Norton's agent, Malki Kawa of First Round Management, posted on Twitter shortly after 11 a.m. on Thursday.

Norton had six surgeries since his July 4 accident, which resulted in the amputation of his left arm.

His release from the hospital begins a new chapter in his life, which could likely see the Dolphins placing him on the Non-Football Injury list, which would give Miami the option of paying his $495,000 salary for next season or not paying it.

Dolphins training camp begins Thursday.

Keeping Norton on the NFI list makes him eligible to remain on the Dolphins and the NFL's health insurance plan, while he rehabilitates his injuries and receives occupational therapy.

Norton, who currently remains on the Dolphins' 90-man roster, was scheduled to earn his salary if he made the team's 53-man roster. League rules allow teams to pay salaries for players with non-guaranteed contracts if they choose to.

The Florida Highway Patrol determined Norton was at fault for a two-car accident around 1:18 a.m. on July 4 on the Dolphin Expressway (State Road 836) westbound ramp, leading to the Palmetto Expressway (State Road 826).

He was issued a citation for an improper lane change of his 2017 Ford F250, which crashed into the right side of a 2015 Maserati before it slammed into a concrete barrier and overturned onto its roof.

FHP determined no alcohol or drugs were involved, but did note Norton and his passenger, a 34-year-old woman named Shakir Williams, were not wearing seatbelts during the accident.

Investigators were unable to determine whether Norton was distracted before the accident occurred.

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Investigators said the other driver, Jessie Pena, a 30-year-old woman from Miami, was also not suspected of alcohol or drug use. Pena and her passenger in the Maserati, Osdany Jimenez, a 38-year-old man from Miami, were not injured after the incident.

A GoFundMe account created for Norton on July 8 has raised more than $22,000, with a goal of reaching $150,000 to help with life expenses, while the NFL has said it would cover all of Norton's medical expenses.

Norton, who played three seasons at the University of Miami, never played a game during his short NFL career.

He left UM early and was taken by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2018 draft. He spent all of last season on the Panthers' practice squad before being released and claimed by the Dolphins last December.

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