Browns, Gordon will finally part ways
The Cleveland Browns are going to release troubled wide receiver Josh Gordon.
The stunning news came Saturday, just hours after the team announced that Gordon would miss Sunday’s game in New Orleans with a hamstring injury. Gordon has been suspended for most of the past four seasons because of multiple drug violations.
The 27-year-old missed training camp to undergo counseling and treatment. He played in the season opener last week, his first Week 1 game since 2012.
Browns general John Dorsey said in a statement that the team has informed Gordon’s representatives that he will be released Monday.
“For the past six years, the Browns have fully supported and invested in Josh, both personally and professionally and wanted the best for him, but unfortunately we’ve reached a point where we feel it’s best to part ways and move forward,” Dorsey said. “We wish Josh well.”
The Browns also will be without starting linebacker Christian Kirksey (shoulder/ankle) and tight end Seth DeValve (hamstring) today.
Kendricks to play vs. Bears
New Seattle Seahawks linebacker Mychal Kendricks will play Monday night against the Chicago Bears despite his pending jail sentence.
Seattle coach Pete Carroll said Saturday that Kendricks, the former Cal player, would make his Seattle debut due to major injuries at linebacker. The Seahawks ruled out both of its starting linebackers, K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner, due to injuries. Wright is still a week away from returning from minor knee surgery and Wagner suffered a groin injury in Week 1.
“The background that he has and the instincts that he has and he’s been coached really well over the years, he really has a chance to pick it up really quickly and get in there and help us,” Carroll said. “He had three really good days and studied like crazy with the coaches and he’s ready to help us out.”
Kendricks playing creates an odd situation for all involved considering his guilty plea last week on insider trading charges in Philadelphia. He’s not expected to be sentenced in the case until January and the NFL has yet to impose any discipline meaning he’s eligible to play. Kendricks said Saturday he was unsure if he’d have a chance to play this season after be.
Rodgers practices
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has taken part in practice for the first time this week after being held out with a left knee injury.
Rodgers was a participant in practice on Saturday after being held out on Wednesday and Thursday to focus on rehab ahead of this weekend’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Fridays are a rest and recovery day. The Packers usually hold a light practice on Saturdays.
Rodgers said he sprained his knee in the second quarter of last week’s season opener over the Chicago Bears. He left the field on a cart but returned in the second half to throw three touchdown passes to help rally the Packers to a 24-23 victory.
Rodgers is listed as questionable on the injury report. Coach Mike McCarthy has said the two-time MVP quarterback would be evaluated on a daily basis.