Report: Browns plan to part ways with Josh Gordon
The Browns will move on from wide receiver Josh Gordon, who is stepping away from football to enter a rehab facility, ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports.
It's unclear when exactly the Browns will part ways with Gordon, or whether they plan to release him or take some other course of action.
Gordon was just one week away from being eligible to return from an alcohol-related suspension, but announced his decision to take a leave from the sport to get his personal life in order.
He has been suspended multiple times for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, and was reinstated to the NFL this off-season.
Browns coach Hue Jackson told reporters Friday that the team is going to “move on” from Gordon, who was their top receiver when active, but has appeared in just five games due to various suspensions since he led the NFL in receiving yards in 2013. The team issued a statement supporting Gordon’s choice on Thursday.
“After careful thought and deep consideration I’ve decided that I need to step away from pursuing my return to the Browns and my football career to enter an in-patient rehabilitation facility,” Gordon said in a statement. “This is the right decision for me and one that I hope will enable me to gain full control of my life and continue on a path to reach my full potential as a person. I appreciate the support of the NFL, NFLPA, the Browns, my teammates, my agent and the community through this extremely challenging process.”
The Browns are 0–3 through the first three weeks of the season.