Former Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon was conditionally reinstated by the NFL on Wednesday after meeting with league commissioner Roger Goodell. Adam Schefter was among the first to report and the Cleveland Browns confirmed the news this afternoon. Gordon had been suspended since September 2016 after violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
Josh Gordon to be reinstated to the NFL
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Goodell released a statement following the meeting with Gordon, stating:
“As emphasized at today’s meeting, everyone – including Josh’s teammates and coaches, the Browns’ ownership and organization, the Program professionals and all of us at the league office – want him to have every opportunity to resume his career and to be successful in the NFL,” Goodell said in a statement. “Whether that happens, however, at the end of the day will depend on Josh. His commitment to sobriety and to reaching his goals in football and beyond will determine his success. It ultimately is up to Josh.”
Cleveland Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown released a statement of his own on Gordon’s reinstatement.
“We’ve been informed of the league’s decision to reinstate Josh. The personal well-being of all our players is of the utmost importance to us. We respect and commend Josh for taking the steps necessary to have the opportunity to return to the league. Josh will be in our building in the coming days and we look forward to having him back and sitting with him to discuss his future on our team.”
As part of his reinstatement, Gordon can attend meetings and work out and will be eligible to practice with the team starting on November 20. The earliest Gordon could be put on the active roster would be November 27, meaning the earliest game that he could be in a game would be December 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Browns travel to Detroit to play the Lions on Sunday.
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