Browns WR Josh Gordon only needed 14 games to lead the NFL in receiving last year.(Photo: Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports)
BEREA, Ohio – The NFL upheld its one-year suspension of Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon on Wednesday for his latest violation of the league's substance-abuse policy.
Gordon's suspension begins immediately, and he is barred from the Browns' facility for the rest of the year. Gordon can apply for reinstatement, and his eligibility will be considered by commissioner Roger Goodell following the 2014 season, the league said in a statement.
Allowing Gordon to apply for reinstatement before next August could ultimately let Gordon return to the Browns for the 2015 preseason, but only if Goodell determines the receiver has not failed any more drug tests and has stayed out of legal trouble during his suspension.
Gordon could try to delay the ban by suing the NFL and getting an injunction, similar to the way Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams put their StarCaps suspensions on hold in 2008. But that wouldn't help Gordon's cause with the league if the suit fails.
Gordon issued the following statement through the NFL Player's Association:
"I'd like to apologize to my teammates, coaches, the Cleveland Browns organization and our fans. I am very disappointed that the NFL and its hearing office didn't exercise better discretion and judgment in my case," Gordon said. "I would like to sincerely thank the people who have been incredibly supportive of me during this challenging time, including my family, my agent, my union, my legal team, and the Cleveland Browns staff."
Given Gordon's lengthy history of drug-related issues, his return is certainly not guaranteed.
Gordon had multiple failed drug tests while in college, forcing him to leave Baylor early and enter the NFL via the supplemental draft. He served a two-game suspension last year, blaming that positive test on Codeine, a prescription cough syrup. In July, while his current suspension was pending, he was arrested in North Carolina and charged with driving while intoxicated.
Gordon's legal team argued in an appeals hearing that lasted two days earlier this month – Aug. 1, with Gordon present, and Aug. 4, after the receiver had returned to Ohio – that Gordon's latest positive test was caused by second-hand smoke.
Wednesday's announcement brings resolution to a frustrating saga for the Browns that dates back to the spring, when Gordon and the team's new brass learned Gordon, an all pro who led the NFL in receiving yards last season, faced the year-long ban.
News broke of Gordon's impending suspension on the second day of the NFL draft in May -- though the team did not draft any receivers.
The Browns had hoped to learn Gordon's status much earlier in the preseason, and head coach Mike Pettine described the team as "impatiently waiting" for news earlier this week, even as the team braced itself for this verdict. Whatever optimism the team may have had early in training camp that perhaps Gordon could get his suspension reduced waned the longer the process lasted.
"We have to deal with it. We're here to support him, and help him in any way we can because he is such a great guy, not just on the field, but off the field too," starting quarterback Brian Hoyer said last week. "And you care about your teammates."
That's the personal side of it, though the Browns understand the NFL's ruling has major football ramifications for the Browns as well.
Gordon's suspension leaves the Browns without a No. 1 receiver, and removes from the roster the Browns' only truly elite player. Despite playing in just 14 games last year, and while catching passes from Hoyer, Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell, Gordon still managed to lead the NFL in receiving yards, with 1,646 – an average of nearly 19 yards per catch.
Without Gordon, tight end Jordan Cameron immediately becomes the Browns' best receiving option. The Browns signed slot receiver Andrew Hawkins and veterans Miles Austin and Nate Burleson in the offseason, but none can match Gordon's explosiveness or down-field ability.
The Browns' first-team offense has scored just one touchdown in the preseason (on a pass from Hoyer to Hawkins). Hoyer and Austin have seemed particularly out of sync, and Cameron has been criticized by coaches at times for mistakes on his routes. Burleson only returned to practice this week after missing several weeks with a hamstring injury.
"I don't want to think about life without [Gordon] in our offense," Cameron said Tuesday.
But now that reality is here. Gordon went through his final full practice with his team on Tuesday, and he is not expected to be allowed in the team's facility in Berea, or on the sidelines at FirstEnergy Stadium, until after he is reinstated.
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