Patriots WR Josh Gordon Steps Away From Football, Receives Indefinite Suspension

Gordon played 12 games with New England after being traded from the Browns in September.

Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon announced he is "stepping away from football" on Thursday morning, tweeting that he will temporarily leave the NFL to, "focus on my mental health."

"I have recently felt like I could have a better grasp on things mentally," Gordon wrote on Twitter. "With that said, I will be stepping away from the football field for a bit to focus on my mental health. I would like to thank Coach Belichick, Mr. Kraft, as well as countless others within the Patriots organization for their continued support. "

Gordon's announcement on Thursday coincides with news that he will be suspened indefinitely for "violating the terms of his conditional reinstatement under the Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. 

The Patriots released a statement on Gordon's decision on Thursday morning. 

Statement from the New England Patriots on Josh Gordon: pic.twitter.com/tXmXrXVrJL

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 20, 2018

Gordon has been suspended several times in his career for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, missing the entire 2015 and 2016 seasons. He was traded from Cleveland to New England on Sept. 17.

The Baylor product registered 40 receptions and three touchdowns in 11 games for the Patriots. New England is 9–5 in 2018, first in the AFC East.