Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Patriots’ WR Gordon conditionally reinstated
BOSTON >> Josh Gordon’s winding career has included several second chances following a trail of multiple drug suspensions that cast doubt whether the talented but troubled playmaker would ever get on an NFL field again.
He’s getting yet another opportunity.
The NFL conditionally reinstated the Patriots wide receiver on Friday.
Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Gordon that on Sunday, Gordon can rejoin the team for meetings and conditioning and individual workouts. After that, according to a league statement, “Subject to appropriate progress on clinical care and other arrangements, he will be permitted to participate in team activities, including practice.”
But Gordon is barred from next Thursday’s game because of a lack of sufficient conditioning and practice time.
Gordon had been suspended indefinitely since December 2018 for violations of the league’s substance abuse policy.
The Patriots have stayed mostly mum this preseason about the potential of Gordon rejoining the team, with coach Bill Belichick saying earlier this month, “We don’t have anything to do with Josh Gordon. He’s suspended. You need to talk to the league. We have no control over Josh Gordon.”
Gordon has been suspended several times by the NFL for violations of its drug policies since being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2012, and missed the entire 2015 and 2016 seasons.
After being reinstated in 2017, Gordon revealed in an interview with GQ magazine that he drank or used marijuana before games. “Probably every game of my career,” he said.
Gordon also said in a 2017 mini-documentary on Uninterreupted.com that he took Xanax, cocaine, marijuana and other narcotics.
Gordon had 40 receptions for 720 yards and three touchdowns with the Patriots, five years removed from an All-Pro season in 2013 with 87 catches for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns.
His return seemingly comes at a perfect time for the Patriots who are eagerly awaiting the return of Julian Edelman from a thumb injury and have been struck by a series of injuries at receiver this preseason.
Source: Jets lose LB Williamson for season
NEW YORK >> The Jets will be without playmaking linebacker Avery Williamson for the season because of a knee injury.
A person familiar with the nature of the injury told The Associated Press that Williamson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the second quarter of the team’s 22-10 preseason win at Atlanta on Thursday night.
An MRI on Friday revealed the nature and severity of the injury, according to the source who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team did not make an announcement.
Williamson, one of the key pieces of the Jets’ defense, was still in the game with 3:52 left in the first half with mostly backups when cornerback Tevaughn Campbell dived for a pass from Matt Ryan to Brian Hill in the end zone and hit into the linebacker’s knee.