Josh Gordon's reinstatement petition denied; can reapply in August

Josh Gordon won't be rejoining the Cleveland Browns anytime soon, it turns out.

The NFL has denied Gordon's petition for reinstatement to the league from his indefinite drug ban after it was reported Monday that he failed another drug test, as first reported by Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Gordon can reapply on Aug. 1 — but he must meet stringent requirements in order to do so.

	Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
Come 8/1, #Browns WR Josh Gordon must show @NFL he has been clean in all areas — drug tests, off the field — in hopes of being reinstated 2:19 PM - 12 Apr 2016

Is anyone expecting that to go through without a hitch?

Gordon has failed multiple tests, not counting in college at Baylor, dating back to All-Pro season of 2013. Since then, he has played only five games because of multiple suspensions. And because of a diluted test sample of his urine, along with the presence of marijuana, Gordon now must wait longer. In the NFL's guidelines, a diluted sample equals a positive test.

Rumors of Gordon hanging with (living with?) Johnny Manziel bring even more worry. Will Gordon ever get straight and display the kind of talent he wowed the league with in leading the NFL in receiving in 2013 despite playing only 14 games?

It's hard to feel too positive about those chances.