Browns’ Gordon is reinstated
Troubled Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was reinstated to the NFL on a conditional basis.
Commissioner Roger Goodell informed Gordon on Monday in a letter that he can rejoin the team during training camp and will be allowed to participate in meetings and conditioning work. The league said that once Gordon meets clinical requirements, he will be allowed to participate in all preseason activities, including practices and games.
Gordon, who was suspended in 2015 for a year for multiple violations of the league’s drug policies, will be suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season. He is eligible to return to the team Oct. 3. Gordon, 25, met with Goodell in New York last week, clearing the way for his partial return.
Gordon led the league with 1,646 yards receiving in 2013. He scored nine touchdowns and averaged 117.6 yards per game.
The NFL and NFL Players Assn. announced an agreement to enforce the league’s game-day concussion protocol and discipline clubs that violate it. The new enforcement policy, which includes club fines and possible forfeiture of draft picks, adds teeth to a concussion protocol already in place.
The league and union will each designate a representative to monitor the implementation of the protocol and investigate potential violations, the sides said in a joint news release. If a violation has occurred and the sides are unable to agree on discipline, the matter will be brought before a neutral arbitrator.
Potential disciplinary action for those who violate the concussion protocol includes:
A first violation will require club employees or medical team members to attend remedial education and/or result in a maximum fine of $150,000 against the club.
Second and subsequent violations will result in a minimum fine of $100,000.
If the parties agree the violation involves aggravating circumstances, the club in the first instance will be subject to a fine of no less than $50,000.
If Goodell determines that a club’s medical team skirted concussion rules for competitive reasons, the commissioner may require the club to forfeit draft picks and could impose additional fines. — Sam Farmer
The NFL said it found no credible evidence that retired Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was provided with human growth hormone or other prohibited substances as alleged in a documentary aired by Al-Jazeera America last year.