Browns WR Gordon is humble

Josh Gordon kept his word and “humbly” returned to the Cleveland Browns. All they can do is hope he stays clean.

Theformer 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 past four seasons because of numerous violations of the NFL’s substanceabuse policy, derailing a promising career.

Gordon, who has missed 54 of Cleveland’s past 64 games, is not facing another suspension. 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. “How long he stays, only Josh knows that, but I think he’s in a much better place. ... I never lost trust in him.”

Colts

Indianapolis and the Baltimore Ravens traded punches Saturday. Firstyear Colts coach Frank Reich jabbed back quickly after fists flew, a helmet was tossed and the two 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.”

Jets

Josh McCown has seen many rookies step into the white-hot spotlight of the NFL and struggle. The veteran quarterback also has watched some youngsters thrive in the pressure, so he could be considered a bit of an expert on the topic. That’s why it says a lot when McCown raves about Sam Darnold, considered the Jets future, and No. 3 overall pick. “I don’t want to put any undue expectations on him, but I’ve been very impressed with him, I’ll be honest with you,” the 39-year-old McCown said. “Of any kind of rookie player I’ve been around, he’s been impressive how he’s handled information from the classroom and then to take it to the [practice] field and then take it to the game, he’s done just an excellent job of that.”

Elsewhere

Paul Naumoff, a former Pro Bowl linebacker who spent 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions, died. He was 73.