Humbled Gordon back in camp with Browns
Josh Gordon kept his word and “humbly” returned to the Cleveland Browns.
All they can do is hope he stays clean. The former Pro Bowl wide receiver, who has battled drug and alcohol dependence for much of his life, on Saturday ended an extended absence from training camp to deal with his health and returned to the team.
Gordon has missed most of the last four seasons because of numerous violations of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, derailing a promising career.
He’s back, but the Browns can’t guarantee it will last.
“I’m confident that he’s here and that’s the most important part,” coach Hue Jackson said. “How long he stays, only Josh knows that, but I think he’s in a much better place. . . . I never lost trust in him.”
Gordon, 27, stepped away to focus on his health just before camp opened last month. He remained in contact with Jackson and a few teammates and promised to come back when he felt ready.
He posted a statement on Twitter addressed to “Cleveland Browns and NFL family,” saying it was time.
“I took the time needed to ensure my overall mental and physical health,” Gordon said. “This has by no means been an easy road and I’m extremely grateful to have all of you in my life. As I humbly return to being a member of this team with an opportunity to get back to playing this game I love, I realize in order for me to reach my full potential my primary focus must remain on my sobriety and mental well-being.
“Let’s get to work! Much love, JG.” Meanwhile, the Browns’ interest in receiver Dez Bryant reportedly has cooled. The former Dallas Cowboys star visited the team earlier this week.
Fists fly during Colts-Ravens practice
The Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens traded punches during a joint practice in Westfield, Indiana.
First-year Colts coach Frank Reich jabbed back quickly after fists flew, a helmet was tossed and the sidelines emptied onto the field, first to help defend teammates and then to restore order.
“We’re football players. We’re professional football players. We’re not fighters. This is not the MMA. We’re not in a cage, so that’s unacceptable,” Reich said. “We’ve got little kids up in the stands. We’re role models. That’s not what we’re looking for. So I was very disappointed in that, and it led to a sloppy practice, at least on offense from what I saw.”
Ravens coach John Harbaugh scoffed at the notion that the melee was any big deal.
“You know, it cracks me up,” Harbaugh said. “Is this a healthy obsession we all have with fights at joint practices? It’s much ado about nothing. It got broken up pretty quickly.”
Jaguars keep Cousins in check
Yannick Ngakoue had an 11-yard sack that helped the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense hold Kirk Cousins and the host Minnesota Vikings’ starting offense to three completions and three points in a 14-10 victory.
Cousins was crisp in his only series last week, but the Vikings went three-and-out on two of their four possessions with their new quarterback. Cousins finished just 3-for-8 for 12 yards.
“Frankly, that’s what we need and maybe want at this time of year,” Cousins said. “Nobody feeling comfortable.”
Lions LB great Naumoff dies
Former Pro Bowl linebacker Paul Naumoff has died in Lenior City, Tennessee. Naumoff, 73, played for the Detroit Lions from 1967-78 and reached the Pro Bowl in the 1970 season. He was drafted in the third round after an All-America career at Tennessee.