Josh Gordon applied for reinstatement in late January.
A league source speculated that Gordon hasn’t shown the NFL enough commitment, to sobriety, for them to reinstate him. Gordon maintains his belief that he is not an addict and was told, by doctors at a treatment facility in 2014, that he was not one.
Regardless, the Cleveland Browns will not be counting on the WR, to play for them in 2016.
During Goodell’s Super Bowl presser, the commissioner stressed the fact that Gordon, who had been suspended for 27 out of the last 32 games, would have to work hard in convincing the league that he will not mess up again. “Our number one issue here is to prevent these things from happening, and I’m hopeful that Josh understands that he’s going to have to conduct himself differently going forward to be a member of the NFL, and to be representing the Cleveland Browns, or any team in the NFL.”
Sashi Brown, the Browns’ Executive Vice President, stated that he knows Josh Gordon is an intriguing topic, but that the Browns are focusing on guys that are on the roster. He further mentioned that if the WR returns that would be great, but if not, they will be ready anyway. Hue Jackson also backed Sashi’s statement by stressing that they planned for the season without Gordon. “I’ve learned something a long time ago, you never worry about something you never had. I’ve never had any contact with him, so I’m going to plan on what’s in our building now, and go from there.” The Browns Exec. noted that if Gordon were to return, they would have to take a long look at him before making any decisions. “Anytime we’ve got a player that’s been suspended for that amount of time and had some of the challenges Josh has had thus far in his career, you need to sit down with him, and understand where his head is before you bring him back into your locker room.
RGIII sure would love to have his former Baylor teammate to be back on the team, it would bode well for his morale, having familiarity, in a new system. “Josh is family. I love the guy. I don’t know what’s going to happen with him in the league or with the team, but he always knows that he has a brother in me. If the opportunity comes that he can be reinstated and pay for the Browns, then I won’t be upset with that. Lets just put it that way.”
Unfortunately, reports are coming that Josh Gordon has failed another test. Gordon took another test in early March, and the sample collected tested positive for marijuana and dilute. Also coming out is the fact that the level of marijuana was below the 35 nano-grams per milliliter required for a positive test. However, the dilute found in the sample is considered to be a positive test, therefore, making it a failed drug test.
