Gordon set to return to practice with Browns
Every day he stays committed and sober, Josh Gordon takes another step toward playing again in the NFL. The long walk and wait are nearly over.
The wide receiver, who squandered millions in potential earnings and derailed a promising career because of substance abuse, will practice with the Cleveland Browns today for the first time in 14 months, a return that seemed unimaginable.
Gordon was recently reinstated on a conditional basis by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being suspended for the past two seasons. So far, the enigmatic 26-year-old fulfilled every requirement placed on him by Goodell, and Monday he threw with Cleveland’s quarterbacks.
Gordon, who has been suspended for the Browns’ past 43 games and 53-of58, has been working out under the team’s guidance since Nov. 7, and on Sunday he was on the sideline when the winless Browns lost to Jacksonville.
Gordon’s return is a boost for the Browns, who have gone 1-25 over the past two seasons and don’t have a playmaker close to his stature. In 2013, Gordon led the NFL with 1,646 yards receiving and scored nine touchdowns despite being suspended for two games.
Gordon will be eligible to play on Dec. 3 when the Browns visit the Los Angeles Chargers. He hasn’t played in a regular-season game since Dec. 21, 2014.
Also, the Browns signed free safety Justin Currie and promoted end Tyrone Holmes from the practice squad to help their bangedup defense after placing starting end Emmanuel Ogbah (broken right foot) and tackle Jamie Meder (sprained ankle) on injured reserve. Ogbah and Meder were injured in Sunday’s 19-7 loss to Jacksonville.
Raiders can ‘D’ boss
The Oakland Raiders fired defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. in a staff shake-up during a disappointing season. Coach Jack Del Rio announced that Norton will be let go and assistant John Pagano will step into the coordinator role for this week’s home game against Denver.
Norton was in his third season as coordinator. Oakland (4-6) came into the year with high expectations after a 12-win season in 2016. They became the only team in NFL history to fail to intercept a pass in the first 10 games.
Seattle cuts Freeney
The Seattle Seahawks made an unexpected roster move, waiving veteran defensive end Dwight Freeney just four games after signing him to help boost their pass rush. Freeney, 37, had three sacks in his first two games, but did not record a tackle in each of his last two games . . . .
The Pittsburgh Steelers activated rookie defensive back Cam Sutton from injured reserve to help a depleted secondary. Sutton spent two months recovering from a hamstring injury. The Steelers remain without starting cornerback Joe Haden (broken left leg), and safety Mike Mitchell (ankle) . . . .
Starting center Spencer Long became the 14th Washington Redskin to go on injured reserve, the third this week. Long needs surgery on a quadriceps tendon. He joins running back Chris Thompson (broken leg) and wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (ankle) in going on IR this week . . . .
The Atlanta Falcons waived cornerback Jalen Collins after his second suspension ended for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He was suspended for 10 games in August. Collins served a four-game suspension for violating the same policy last year. He did not play this season . . . .
The Detroit Lions waived defensive tackle Khyri Thornton, after he served a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.