It would appear the Cleveland Browns will get wide receiver Josh Gordon back in the lineup sooner rather than later. The NFL announced on Monday that Gordon will be reinstated from his suspension following a suspension through the first four weeks of the season.
Gordon was suspended all last season for a failed alcohol test, and the suspension was for “at least a year.” He applied for reinstatement and the league apparently decided it was time for him to return to the field. He will be eligible to take part in training camp, and PFT is reporting the condition on the suspension will allow him to be with the team the first four weeks, but just not play. The reports state his reinstatement is “conditional,” and given his recent year-long suspension, that is not exactly surprising.
If you’re the Cleveland Browns, knowing that you’re getting Gordon back, do you just roll the dice and hope he keeps clean, or do you try and trade him sooner rather than later? The 49ers and Browns discussed a trade back in 2014, but Browns owner Jimmy Haslam shut that down. I don’t think the 49ers make an offer at this point, but if you’re the Browns, do you try and get something of value in case Gordon can’t stay clean?
Here’s the full NFL press release:
Commissioner ROGER GOODELL notified JOSH GORDON of the Cleveland Browns today that he has been reinstated to the NFL on a conditional basis.
Gordon may join the team at training camp and participate in meetings, conditioning work and similar activities. Once arrangements have been confirmed regarding Gordon’s clinical resources in Cleveland, he will be permitted to participate in all preseason activities, including practices and games.
Gordon will be suspended for the first four games of the regular season and will be eligible to return to the team beginning Monday, October 3. During this suspension, Gordon may participate in team meetings and other activities but may not attend or participate in practices or games.
Gordon had been suspended indefinitely since February 2015 without pay for multiple violations of the NFL-NFLPA Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
In a letter to Gordon today, Commissioner 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. 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.”