Some good news for the Cleveland Browns: receiver Josh Gordon, who had a sensational 2013 season, only to find himself on the sideline for much of the past two years thanks to repeated failures in the NFL drug testing program, can return to the team on a conditional basis.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has given Gordon permission to participate in training camp and preseason games, but Gordon will be suspended for the first four games of the regular season. Since he is suspended under the substance abuse policy and not the performance-enhancing drugs policy, Gordon will be able to be at the Browns’ facility and take part in meetings during his suspension.
Assuming Gordon meets all conditions, he can fully return to the team on Oct. 3, and play in Cleveland’s Week 5 game against the New England Patriots (Tom Brady will be back that day too).
In a letter to Gordon on Monday, Goodell wrote, “As we discussed at our [July 19] meeting, as Commissioner, I want nothing more than to see you turn your circumstances around and succeed. Countless others including your agent, teammates and coaches, Mr. [Jimmy] Haslam and the leadership of the organization, the Program professionals and Jim Brown also have pledged to provide you with every resource at their disposal. But as you acknowledged, ultimately, your future is your responsibility. I have every belief that you can make the right choices, but it will be up to you to do so.”
Gordon was suspended without pay for the entire 2015 season, after multiple violations of the substance abuse policy. The 33rd pick in 2012, Gordon had a major second season, leading the league with 1,646 yards (on 87 catches) despite missing the first two games of the year to his first suspension.
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