Mark your calendars because on Sunday October 9th in Cleveland, Ohio Tom Brady won’t be the only big name NFL player returning to the gridiron. The NFL announced today that Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon will also make his long awaited return on October 9th as well.
#Browns WR Josh Gordon is being reinstated, source said. He’s suspended for the first 4 games.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 25, 2016
This is a big development, as Gordon was suspended indefinitely over a year ago in February 2015. Gordon was suspended without pay due to multiple violations of the NFL-NFLPA Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
Here is what @nflcommish wrote to #Browns WR Josh Gordon upon conditionally reinstating him pic.twitter.com/QPwbkQo8Eb
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 25, 2016
Gordon, 25, was originally drafted by the Browns in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Baylor. The wide receiver had a tremendous rookie season in 2012 before his first mistake in June of 2013. Here’s a brief timeline of Gordon’s career:
2012: Finished among the top rookie receivers from the 2012 NFL Draft when he caught 50 passes for 805 yards and five touchdowns.
2013: June 7, 2013 received first suspension when the NFL announced Gordon would be suspended the first two games of the 2013 season due to a violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy.
Gordon would go on to be voted a Pro Bowler after his return. The wideout finished the year leading the NFL in receiving yards with 1,646 and was named First-Team All-Pro.
2014: July 5, 2014 Gordon was arrested for driving while impaired in North Carolina and only played in five games that season. Gordon caught 24 passes for 303 yards in those five contests.
On August 27, 2014, Gordon announced he accepted the NFL’s one-year suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy once again. However, on September 19th, 2014, Gordon’s suspension was reduced to 10 games to adhere to the NFL’s new drug policy. Gordon was reinstated after 10 games, but was suspended for the final game of the year by the Browns for violating team rules.
2015: In January of 2015, Gordon was on the brink of another year-long suspension after testing positive for alcohol use. The wide receiver entered the NFL’s substance abuse program after he plead guilty to a driving while impaired charge from September of 2014. On February 3rd, 2015 Gordon was suspended indefinitely.
2016: Just over six months ago on January 20th, Gordon applied for reinstatement. In March, the request was denied after he reportedly failed another drug test.
However today on July 25th, 2016, the league announced Gordon would be allowed to participate in training camp before serving a four game suspension. He won’t be allowed to rejoin the team on the practice field until Monday, October 3rd during the regular season. Before then, Gordon is allowed to join the team for team meetings and other activities, but not attend or participate practices or games.
#Browns WR Josh Gordon’s reinstatement is conditional, source said. But he can participate in training camp
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 25, 2016
Now we just have to hope Gordon doesn’t fail another test or break another rule. If he doesn’t, Gordon will play his first NFL regular game in nearly two years against the New England Patriots on the same day their quarterback Tom Brady returns to the field.
[ESPN]
