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Gordon Opens Camp On NFI List; NFL Will Address At Appropriate Time
Josh Gordon, who was reinstated by the league in 2017, announced Monday morning on Twitter that he will not report for camp Wednesday when the rest of his teammates show up.
The Browns subsequently placed Gordon on the Non-Football Injury List. Gordon is eligible to be activated from the NFI list at any point.
While he didn't go into particulars, Gordon stated that current treatment, which will keep him away from the practice field, surrounding his well-being has been coordinated with the NFL, NFLPA and the Browns. Gordon added that he expects to be back with the team in time for the regular season.
"To my Cleveland Browns and NFL family, I am reaching out to you all personally and letting you know that I am not only doing great physically but mentally as well," Gordon began in a series of posts on his verified Twitter feed this morning. "You will notice that I will not be in Cleveland for the start of training camp. Rest assured this too is a part of my overall health and treatment plan.
"I appreciate the awesome support I have received from teammates, friends, fans, and the Browns' organization. Just like you, I am excited to start the season and I have every intention of being ready and available to join my teammates soon to help bring winning football to our fans. With the help of the NFL, NFLPA, and the Browns' organization, I have been able to utilize the resources available to me that will ensure my well-being on and off the field. By continuing to follow the plan set up by our medical director and his team and taking this time before this season starts, we believe it will help me maintain the progress I've made for not only today but for many years to come. Thank you all for your patience, love, and support! Go Browns!"
Browns general manager John Dorsey expressed support for Gordon in a statement.
"We will continue to support Josh as he receives the care needed to maintain his progress," Dorsey said, via the Browns' official website. "We are going to respect his privacy while he is away from the team. Josh will be placed on the non-football illness reserve list until he is ready to return."
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero there is no timetable on Gordon's status.
"We'll address the matter at the appropriate time," McCarthy told Pelissero.
As NFL.com's Herbie Teope reminded readers, Gordon entered the league in 2012 as supplemental draft pick with the Browns, but his career has been mired with multiple suspensions for violations of the league's substance-abuse policy. He did not play in 2015 and 2016 before returning in November 2017 on a conditional reinstatement.
In 40 career games, Gordon has 179 catches for 3,089 yards and 15 touchdowns.
As Profootballtalk.com notes, Gordon is in Stage Three of the NFL’s substance abuse program, which means he can be tested 10 times a month and can be “required to submit to further evaluation and subsequent treatment” at the behest of the league’s medical director. Any failure to comply with those and other requirements would lead to a suspension of at least one year.
We all know Gordon's upside. But there are clearly issues.
UPDATE: According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gordon did not have any slip ups or failed tests, per sources.
Schefter went on to report the wideout's leave is a pro-active, defensive gesture to get extra counseling to try to ensure he does not have any of the setbacks that have marked his past. Schefter added, "Those who know him say he has 'worked his a— off. ...'"
I'll continue to watch closely and follow up as developments warrant.
The Browns subsequently placed Gordon on the Non-Football Injury List. Gordon is eligible to be activated from the NFI list at any point.
While he didn't go into particulars, Gordon stated that current treatment, which will keep him away from the practice field, surrounding his well-being has been coordinated with the NFL, NFLPA and the Browns. Gordon added that he expects to be back with the team in time for the regular season.
"To my Cleveland Browns and NFL family, I am reaching out to you all personally and letting you know that I am not only doing great physically but mentally as well," Gordon began in a series of posts on his verified Twitter feed this morning. "You will notice that I will not be in Cleveland for the start of training camp. Rest assured this too is a part of my overall health and treatment plan.
"I appreciate the awesome support I have received from teammates, friends, fans, and the Browns' organization. Just like you, I am excited to start the season and I have every intention of being ready and available to join my teammates soon to help bring winning football to our fans. With the help of the NFL, NFLPA, and the Browns' organization, I have been able to utilize the resources available to me that will ensure my well-being on and off the field. By continuing to follow the plan set up by our medical director and his team and taking this time before this season starts, we believe it will help me maintain the progress I've made for not only today but for many years to come. Thank you all for your patience, love, and support! Go Browns!"
Browns general manager John Dorsey expressed support for Gordon in a statement.
"We will continue to support Josh as he receives the care needed to maintain his progress," Dorsey said, via the Browns' official website. "We are going to respect his privacy while he is away from the team. Josh will be placed on the non-football illness reserve list until he is ready to return."
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero there is no timetable on Gordon's status.
"We'll address the matter at the appropriate time," McCarthy told Pelissero.
As NFL.com's Herbie Teope reminded readers, Gordon entered the league in 2012 as supplemental draft pick with the Browns, but his career has been mired with multiple suspensions for violations of the league's substance-abuse policy. He did not play in 2015 and 2016 before returning in November 2017 on a conditional reinstatement.
In 40 career games, Gordon has 179 catches for 3,089 yards and 15 touchdowns.
As Profootballtalk.com notes, Gordon is in Stage Three of the NFL’s substance abuse program, which means he can be tested 10 times a month and can be “required to submit to further evaluation and subsequent treatment” at the behest of the league’s medical director. Any failure to comply with those and other requirements would lead to a suspension of at least one year.
We all know Gordon's upside. But there are clearly issues.
UPDATE: According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gordon did not have any slip ups or failed tests, per sources.
Schefter went on to report the wideout's leave is a pro-active, defensive gesture to get extra counseling to try to ensure he does not have any of the setbacks that have marked his past. Schefter added, "Those who know him say he has 'worked his a— off. ...'"
I'll continue to watch closely and follow up as developments warrant.