Report: Browns WR Josh Gordon's ban to be reduced to 10 games
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon's suspension will be reduced to 10 games under the NFL's new drug policy, reports Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
The NFLPA is scheduled to vote on the new drug agreement on Friday. According to Cabot, the league is giving "no special treatment" to Gordon.
Gordon, 23, was suspended for the entire 2014 season for a repeat violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy after a failed a drug test earlier this year. He appealed the suspension, but it was upheld by the NFL in late August.
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The new drug policy will reportedly immediately reinstate several players whose positive tests arose as a result of stricter measures under the old policy, including Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker, Dallas Cowboyscornerback Orlando Scandrick and Miami Dolphinsdefensive end Dion Jordan, among others.
Gordon's situation was less certain since his positive test came before the start of the new league year on March 11.
The new drug policy reportedly includes a higher threshold for a positive marijuana test as well as the introduction of a program to test for human growth hormone, which would mark the first time in the league's history it would test for the substance.
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Gordon reportedly wouldn't have violated the terms of the new drug policy with the level of marijuana found in his bloodstream when he failed his test. He has said his positive test was triggered by second-hand smoke, and that he doesn't have a drug problem.
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