Pats WR Gordon reinstated by NFL
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 preseason 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.” Now, however, they will. Gordon has been suspended several times by the NFL for violations of its drug policies since being drafted by the Browns in 2012, and he 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.
Now he’ll return to a Patriots environment in which he was mostly insulated last season and even flourished in their highly disciplined culture.
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.
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