Josh Gordon to be reinstated by NFL
Miami Dolphins safety Reshad Jones breaks up a pass intended for New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon during the third quarter on Dec. 9 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The ailing Patriots wide receivers unit just received a major boost.
Josh Gordon, who was indefinitely suspended this past December, has been reinstated by the NFL on a conditional basis, the league announced on Friday.
He is eligible to play in the regular season.
Gordon can rejoin the Pats on Sunday and “attend meetings and engage in conditioning work and individual workouts,” according to the league. He will be permitted to begin practicing “subject to appropriate progress on clinical care and other arrangements.” Gordon will be allowed to attend the team’s third preseason
game next Thursday versus the Panthers, but he won’t play in the game because of his limited practice time.
“We are all rooting for Josh to succeed, both personally and professionally,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Everyone shares in that hope and will continue to support him to every extent possible. But as Josh acknowledged, ultimately his success is up to him.”
Acquired early last season in a trade with the Browns, Gordon posted 720 yards and averaged 18 yards per catch for the Patriots. He excelled after the catch, often taking
high-percentage slant routes and turning them into 20-yard gains.
Gordon was suspended by the league in December for violating the terms of his reinstatement under the substance-abuse policy. He sat out during the team’s Super Bowl run.
As a restricted free agent, Gordon re-signed with the Pats on a oneyear deal worth $2.025 million. He spent the offseason training with former Olympian Tim Montgomery in Gainesville, Florida. Lions receiver Brandon Powell, who also works out at Montgomery’s facility, noted last week that Gordon stayed in top condition.
“If you train with him, you wouldn’t even know that he’s suspended or anything,”powell said.