NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport first reported Gordon’s conditional reinstatement.
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Gordon was suspended in February 2015 after he failed a drug test.
After missing part of 2014 – and all of 2015 – Gordon was finally reinstated by the league on Monday, but still carries a four-game suspension before he can actually play.
Browns fans won’t have to wait until the regular season to see him back in action, as he’ll be able to play in all of Cleveland’s preseason games after his clinical resources in Cleveland are confirmed.
The Browns will be without four players to starting 2016 Training Camp. Gordon was suspended without pay due to multiple violations of the NFL-NFLPA Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. That’s also the game in which New England quarterback Tom Brady will return following his suspension for “Deflategate”.
In other words, Gordon has no reason to fail again, and this time will more than likely be his last chance.
Gordon would be the presumptive starter in an overhauled Cleveland receiving corps – the Browns used five picks in this year’s draft on receivers. But as you acknowledged, ultimately, your future is your responsibility. The wide receiver had a tremendous rookie season in 2012 before his first mistake in June of 2013. The Browns then announced that they will give the star wideout another shot, setting him up for a long-awaited return in Week 5, assuming he avoids any off-field issues in the meantime.
Gordon missed all of last season while serving his one-year ban.
Gordon can attend team meetings and participate in other activities the first four weeks of the season, but he cannot practice or play in games. But Gordon still is “on thin ice” with the Browns, according to Bleacher Report NFL insider Jason Cole.
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Also, Gordon is in the final year of his contract.
