NFL notebook: Pats’ Gordon reinstated, Chargers lose James
NEW YORK— The NFL has conditionally reinstated Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon.
Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Gordon on Friday 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 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.
SAFETY GETS BOOT: The Los Angeles Chargers will likely go into the regular season without one of their top defensive players for the second straight year.
All-Pro safety Derwin James is sidelined due to a foot injury suffered during Thursday’s practices with the New Orleans Saints. James has a stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal of his right foot and was wearing a walking boot Friday.
It’s unclear how much time James will miss since the treatment remains to be determined. Coach Anthony Lynn was hopeful James wouldn’t need surgery, but did not rule it out.
Last year, the Chargers were without defensive end Joey Bosa for the first nine games due to turf toe. If Los Angeles can weather James’ absence as well as they did Bosa’s, they will be happy. The Chargers were 7-2 without Bosa on their way to making the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
ELLIOTT IN SHAPE: Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is away from the team in Cabo San Lucas holding out for a new contract.
But he has apparently gotten in his work while the rest of the Cowboys were in training camp.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Elliott weighs in the 220-pound range, the lowest since his rookie year, and he will be ready to go if and when the two sides come to a deal.
Sources have confirmed Schefter’s report — Elliott is fit and explosive.