Browns WR Gordon cleared to participate
The NFL has cleared Josh Gordon’s route to the field.
Gordon, whose career has been derailed by drug and alcohol addictions, “can return to all activities, including games,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy said yesterday.
Gordon is not expected to participate in any drills for a few days, but could be practicing early next week. Coach Hue Jackson hopes the 27-yearold wide receiver can play in this week’s exhibition finale against Detroit and possibly be ready to face Pittsburgh in the Sept. 9 opener.
Gordon, however, has been dealing with a tight hamstring that he tweaked during conditioning while he was away, the team said.
The Browns said Gordon will speak to the media tomorrow.
The former Pro Bowler took part in the team’s pre-practice walkthrough on the field yesterday after the Browns removed Gordon from the active nonfootball injury list. Gordon had been limited to watching from the sideline and working with team trainers since returning Aug. 24 from a three-week, self-imposed absence.
Gordon left the team before training camp opened to receive treatment as part of his recovery. He has missed most of the past four seasons because of violations of the NFL’s substance abuse program.
Jackson said Friday that Gordon has entered “phase 2” of the plan to have him rejoin team activities. The coach wants to make sure he is physically and mentally fit to handle his job after playing just 10 games since 2013.
Jags’ Lee suffers knee injury
The Jacksonville Jaguars might have lost their No. 1 receiver.
Marqise Lee, who led the team in receptions in 2017, injured his left knee in a 17-6 victory against Atlanta last night in Jacksonville, Fla., and could be finished for the season.
He was carted off the field in the first quarter after the Falcons’ Damontae Kazee twisted Lee’s leg making a tackle. Lee fumbled on the play, but it was overturned because Kazee was flagged for tackling with his helmet.
Teammates and coaches offered well wishes to Lee as he left . . . .
Chicago coach Matt Nagy decided to rest starters for the next-to-last preseason game, but quarterback Chase Daniel directed touchdown drives on the first three possessions and the Bears defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 27-20, at home.
Playing against both the Chiefs starting defense and then the backups, Daniel led the Bears to a 24-10 halftime lead. He was 15-of-18 for 198 yards and two touchdowns . . . . Rams rookie John Kelly rushed for 64 yards and two touchdowns, and the team’s new defensive stars played briefly in a 21-20 win against the Houston Texans in Los Angeles.
The Rams rested 10 presumptive offensive starters for the third straight preseason game, but defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh and cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib saw action early in the first quarter.
Luck’s Colts top Garoppolo
Andrew Luck threw a touchdown pass on likely his last preseason drive, and Christine Michael scored on a 1-yard plunge late in the third quarter to lead the Colts get past the San Francisco 49ers, 23-17, in Indianapolis.
Luck looked much sharper than he did in Monday night’s loss to Baltimore. He was 8-of-10 for 90 yards and produced the only TD in the first half. He also had four carries for 27 yards before leaving midway through the second quarter.
The Colts nearly picked off Jimmy Garoppolo on back-to-back plays near the goal line late in the first half. Garoppolo was 9-of-19 for 135 yards before giving way to C.J. Beathard midway through the third quarter . . . .
Ben Roethlisberger made the most of his preseason cameo, throwing for 114 yards and a score as the Steelers had little trouble with the Tennessee Titans in a 16-6 victory in Pittsburgh.
New Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner didn’t let Roethlisberger’s lone scheduled exhibition appearance ahead of the Sept. 9 season opener at Cleveland go to waste. Roethlisberger completed 11-of-18 passes during his three drives . . . .
First-round pick Lamar Jackson led touchdown possessions of 84, 62 and 73 yards against mostly reserves, and the Baltimore Ravens rallied past the host Miami Dolphins, 27-10.