Gordon makes his humble return to the 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, 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 I think that’s the most important part,” coach Hue Jackson said Saturday. “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 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.
The 27-year-old posted a statement on Twitter addressed to “Cleveland Browns and NFL family,” saying it was time.
Former Pro Bowler Naumoff dies at 73
Paul Naumoff, the former Pro Bowl linebacker who spent 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions, has died. He was 73.
Larry Click, funeral director at Click Funeral Home, said that Naumoff died Friday at his home in Lenoir City.
Naumoff played for the Lions from 1967-78. The former third-round draft pick reached the Pro Bowl in the 1970 season and won the Lem Barney Award as the Lions’ defensive MVP in 1975.
Exhibitions
Dak Prescott led a pair of scoring drives in three possessions, capped with a scrambling six-yard scoring pass to Terrance Williams before Cincinnati rallied after halftime for a 21-13 exhibition victory over Dallas. The concern for the Cowboys was the status of four-time Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin, who left early on what would have been his last drive with a knee injury . ... Case Keenum moved the chains for the first time for the Denver Broncos in a 2423 loss to the Chicago Bears, and Chad Kelly threw another touchdown after leapfrogging Paxton Lynch on the depth chart. The Bears came back from a 23-10 fourth-quarter deficit . ... Yannick Ngakoue had an 11yard sack that helped Jacksonville hold Kirk Cousins and Minnesota’s starting offense to three completions and three points, before the Jaguars reserves rallied for a 14-10 victory over the Vikings. ... Deshaun Watson threw a touchdown pass and the Houston Texans earned a 1613 preseason win over the San Francisco 49ers . ... Jameis Winston threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns after coming off the bench in the second quarter, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Tennessee Titans 30-14.