Browns’ Gordon reinstated
Josh Gordon’s curious and complicated career has taken a new turn. He’s getting yet another chance.
The talented but troubled Gordon was reinstated on a conditional basis by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who met face to face with Gordon last week.
The 25-year-old Cleveland Browns wide receiver has been banned since February 2015 for multiple violations of the league’s drug policies. He will be suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season, but be allowed to join the team in its upcoming training camp and can participate in meetings and conditioning work.
It’s a fresh start for Gordon, who emerged as one of the league’s rising stars in 2013 before several missteps led to his banishment.
As long as he stays clean, Gordon is eligible to return to the team on Oct. 3 and play in the Oct. 9 home game against the Patriots, which is also the game in which Pats quarterback Tom Brady will return following his suspension for Deflategate.
During his four-game suspension, Gordon may participate in team meetings and other activities but can’t practice or play in games.
In 2013, Gordon topped all pass-catchers in the league with 1,646 receiving yards, scoring nine touchdowns and averaging 117.6 yards per game.
New concussion plans
The NFL and the players association announced a new policy regarding gameday concussion protocol and discipline for clubs that violate the procedure.
Under the new policy jointly announced yesterday, the NFL and NFLPA “will follow a strict and fair process to investigate incidents and determine appropriate discipline, including club fines and possible forfeiture of draft picks.”
The league and the players union will each designate a representative to monitor the implementation of the protocol and investigate potential violations. The probe won’t reach medical conclusions; it will only determine if the protocol was followed. An arbitrator will handle cases where the league and union disagree and report to the commissioner.
Watt on PUP list
The Houston Texans put star defensive end J.J. Watt on the physically unable to perform list less than a week before training camp begins. The move, which was expected, comes after Watt recently had back surgery. The NFL sacks leader last season with 17 1⁄2 is expected to be ready for the season opener. . . .
Green Bay Pro Bowl receiver Jordy Nelson was one of six Packers placed on the PUP list. Nelson is coming back from a torn right ACL injury that kept him out for the 2015 season. . . .
Receiver Greg Jennings is retiring after a 10-year career. The 32-year-old Jennings caught two touchdowns from quarterback
Aaron Rodgers in the Packers’ 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. . . .
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie cornerback Jalen Ramsey, the fifth overall pick in the 2016 draft, has been cleared to practice less than three months after tearing a meniscus in his right knee. . . . Offensive tackle Anthony
Davis says he plans to return to the NFL and the San Francisco 49ers after announcing his retirement a little more than a year ago. Davis retired at age 25 in June 2015 following a head injury. . . .
The NFL is investigating whether a video linked to an account from suspended Oakland Raiders linebacker
Aldon Smith shows him using illegal drugs. Smith is serving a one-year suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy that ends Nov. 17.