Belichick mum on decision to release wide receiver Gordon

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — As far as Patriots coach Bill Belichick is concerned, Josh Gordon’s tenure with the Patriots is all in the past.

Asked Friday why the team chose to release the oftsuspended receiver just a week after placing him on injured reserve with knee and ankle injuries, Belichick offered little insight.

“We released him because he was healthy,” Belichick said. “He passed his physical.”

Pressed for his thoughts on Gordon’s overall time in New England, Belichick said the team had moved forward.

“We’re looking to Baltimore at this point,” he said. “A lot of guys have been here in the past year and a half.”

Gordon sustained his recent injuries during New England’s win over the New York Giants in Week 6 and sat out the Week 7 win over the Jets.

On Friday, Gordon signed with the Seattle Seahawks, giving Russell Wilson another weapon to accompany Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf.

“He’s a unique talent,” head coach Pete Carroll said in a news conference.

Gordon was reinstated by the NFL in August after having been suspended indefinitely in December 2018, missing the final three games of last season for violations of the league’s substance abuse policy. It ended what had been strong year for the Gordon, who had 40 catches for 720 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games.

A 2012 secondround draft pick by the Cleveland Browns, Gordon was also suspended for the first two games of the 2013 season for a substance abuse policy violation but still caught 87 passes for nine touchdowns and a leagueleading 1,646 yards and was named to the AllPro team.

Upon returning from his latest suspension he seemed to settle into the Patriots’ strict culture and was among New England’s leading receivers this season. In six games, he had 20 catches for 287 yards and a touchdown.

But Gordon’s place on the roster may have became less secure after the Patriots traded for eightyear veteran Mohamed Sanu on Oct. 22 and rookie N’Keal Harry now eligible to return to the active roster after his own stint on injured reserve with an ankle injury.

Sanu is primarily used as a slot receiver, but Harry and receiver Phillip Dorsett — like Gordon — are known for their ability to catch deep passes.

Before this season, the Patriots were unsure if Gordon would be available. With Harry inching toward a return and Dorsett having a strong season (21 catches, 286 yards, four TDs) the presence of all three players would have created some roster redundancy.

CHUNG COURT DATE

Patriots safety Patrick Chung is not expected to appear in court on a cocaine possession charge until after the current regular National Football League season ends.

A grand jury in New Hampshire indicted the 32yearold Chung in August. A prosecutor said members of the Meredith, New Hampshire, police department were called to his residence in June and obtained evidence leading to the felony drug charge. He’s pleaded not guilty.

Court paperwork says an appearance scheduled for this month was rescheduled for Jan. 3, 2020, to allow more time for both sides to exchange information relevant to a possible resolution of the case. A trial date was scheduled for March.

Chung has been a major contributor on defense to three of the Patriots’ six Super Bowl championships.

Elise Amendola / Associated Press Wide receiver Josh Gordon (10) has signed with the Seattle Seahawks after being released by the Patriots.