Goodell reinstates Browns’ Gordon, with conditions
Josh Gordon’s personal journey, from star to suspended outcast to sobriety, has reached a new dawning.
Cleveland’s gifted receiver has been conditionally reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who met with the Browns’ former Pro Bowler in New York on Wednesday and is allowing him to return after a nearly three-year absence.
Gordon, who hasn’t played since the 2014 season, can immediately join the team for meetings and engage in conditioning work and individual workouts. He has to comply with requirements set forth by Goodell and can begin practicing with the team on Nov. 20.
The 26-year-old will be eligible — at the team’s discretion — to return to active status on Nov. 27 or remain on the commissioner’s exempt list for an additional week before returning to active status.
“As emphasized at today’s meeting, everyone — including Josh’s teammates and coaches, the Browns’ ownership and organization, the program professionals and all of us at the league office — want him to have every opportunity to resume his career and to be successful in the NFL,” Goodell said. “Whether that happens, however, at the end of the day will depend on Josh.
“His commitment to sobriety and to reaching his goals in football and beyond will determine his success. It ultimately is up to Josh.”
If Gordon abides by Goodell’s stipulations, the receiver could play in Cleveland’s final five games this season, beginning with a Dec. 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
After his most recent suspension, the Browns initially distanced themselves from Gordon but have been supportive in recent months.
“We’ve been informed of the league’s decision to reinstate Josh,” said Sashi Brown, the team’s executive vice president of football operations. “The personal well-being of all our players is of the utmost importance to us.
“We respect and commend Josh for taking the steps necessary to have the opportunity to return to the league. Josh will be in our building in the coming days, and we look forward to having him back and sitting with him to discuss his future on our team.”
Osweiler to start
Brock Osweiler has supplanted Trevor Siemian as Denver’s starting quarterback ahead of Sunday’s game at Philadelphia.
Siemian has thrown two TD passes and eight interceptions during the Broncos’ 1-4 slump, including three interceptions in a 29-19 loss at Kansas City on Monday night.
Osweiler, Peyton Manning’s longtime backup, was expected to take over the Broncos’ QB job in 2016 after Manning’s retirement a month after Denver’s Super Bowl win. Instead, Osweiler bolted to Houston in free agency, and then he was traded to Cleveland. The Browns released him last summer.
Wrapping up
New England signed former San Francisco quarterback Brian Hoyer as Tom Brady’s backup, a day after Hoyer was released by the 49ers following their acquisition of Jimmy Garoppolo in a trade with the Patriots. Hoyer began his career as Brady’s backup in New England in 2009 and has spent time with seven NFL teams during his nine-year career, including Cleveland. … Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has recovered from the concussion he suffered last week and expects to start Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.