According to a league source, suspended Patriots receiver Josh Gordon has applied for reinstatement to the league.
What happens now is up in the air. Because of Gordon's complicated relationship with the league and it's substance abuse policy, this could go in a number of directions.
Let's break it down:
First of all, the NFL never officially announced a suspension of Gordon and why he was suspended. The most official word we received came from Adam Schefter:
https://twitter.com/adamschefter/status/1075837216096694272?lang=en
Then we saw this on the league's transaction wire:
As opposed to his previous suspensions, we were never told the specifics of his violation, which is a bit odd. What we do know is the last time Gordon was suspended by the league, he wasn't reinstated for over a full calendar year. He was suspended indefinitely in Sept. 2016 for "for multiple violations of the NFL-NFLPA Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse." He was not reinstated until Nov. 1, 2017.
Commissioner ROGER GOODELL notified JOSH GORDON of the Cleveland Browns today that he will be reinstated to the NFL on a conditional basis.
Effective immediately, Gordon may join the Browns to attend meetings, engage in conditioning work and individual workouts.
Subject to compliance with clinical and other requirements, he will be placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list and be permitted to practice with the team beginning on Monday, November 20.
Subject to compliance with clinical and other requirements, he will be placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list and be permitted to practice with the team beginning on Monday, November 20.
A Player banished pursuant to Stage Three of the Intervention Program may not participate with his Club in any way except to see his Treating Clinician for treatment purposes on Club property, but he must vacate the premises immediately following termination of the treatment session with the Treating Clinician.
Failure to Comply in Stage Three: A Player who: fails to cooperate with testing, treatment, evaluation or other requirements imposed on him by this Policy or fails to comply with his Treatment Plan, both as determined by the Medical Director; or who has a Positive Test Result, will be banished from the NFL for a minimum period of one (1) calendar year.
- Former Patriots end Trey Flowers, who received a five-year, $90-million from Detroit in the offseason, is still on PUP after needing shoulder surgery in the offseason. Damon "Snacks" Harrison is also on PUP. Newly signed Mike Daniels of the Packers has yet to practice.
- CB Darius Slay was just activated off PUP.
- Rookie TE T.J. Hockenson, whom many had as a possible Patriot, has gotten off to a good start.
- C.J. Anderson looks to be the favorite to backup RB Kerryon Johnson. He's competing with former Steeler Jesse James for the starting spot and the Lions might go with a lot of 2 TE sets.
- QB Matthew Stafford has had a rocky camp but was 7 of 8 in a scrimmage at Ford Field on Friday night.
- Danny Amendola is expected to be the starting slot receiver between Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones. “You’ve got to love Danny Amendola,” Patricia said. “You’ve got to love everything he brings, every single day. He’s probably one of the most intense people you’re going to talk about. When you’re passionate about the game of football, like we all are and like he is, passion breeds passion. ... He’s like everybody else. He’s got a lot of work to do and improve, but as a person, he’s a football guy. He loves the game. He loves being around the guys. He loves every aspect of it. All that energy is contagious."
- Justin Coleman, whom the Patriots traded to Seattle, is the starting slot corner. The Lions made him the highest-paid slot corner in the game with a four-year deal and $16 million in guarantees.
- Former Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is Patricia's new OC after the Lions let Jim Bob Cooter go in the offseason.
- Former Patriots safety Steve Gregory is a defensive assistant.