NFL reinstates Seahawks WR Gordon
RENTON, Wash. — Josh Gordon was conditionally reinstated by the NFL on Thursday and can begin the process of joining the Seattle Seahawks’ roster as early as today.
Commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Gordon after nearly a oneyear suspension following his latest off-field transgression for violations of the league’s substance abuse policies. Gordon was suspended in December 2019 for violating the league’s drug policy. He tested positive for performance enhancers and “substances of abuse,” the league said in a statement at the time.
It was the eighth time overall Gordon had been suspended by either his team or the NFL, including six times since 2013, mostly for violating the league’s policies on banned substances.
But his time in Seattle last season was mostly positive and the Seahawks signed Gordon in September knowing there would be no guarantee that Gordon would be reinstated during the 2020 season.
The league said Gordon can begin COVID-19 testing today and may begin attending team and individual meetings next Wednesday should his tests come back negative. He can also begin individual workouts and strength and conditioning.
Gordon cannot practice with the team until Dec. 21 following Seattle’s Week 15 game at Washington. Gordon would be eligible to play in Seattle’s final two regularseason games.
Gordon posted a video to Instagram
shortly after his reinstatement was announced showing some of the work he’s been doing on his own in the Seattle area while waiting for his chance to return.
The former All-Pro signed with
Seattle midway through last season after he was released by New England. He made a strong impression in the Seahawks’ locker room even with limited production on the field. Gordon had seven catches for 139 yards over five games, but he found an advocate in quarterback Russell Wilson, who bonded with Gordon during his short time on the roster.
Wilson said Thursday he heard about Gordon’s reinstatement as he was coming off the field following Seattle’s walkthrough. Wilson said he’s checked in with Gordon periodically during the wait to see if and when he’d return.