Josh Gordon suspended one season by NFL
Josh Gordon's fate for 2014 has finally been decided.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the NFL has suspended the Cleveland Browns wide receiver for one season on Wednesday for violating the league's substance abuse policy, according to a source.
Last year's league-leading wideout has waited for word on his future since the second day of May's draft, when we first learned that Gordon faced a potentially lengthy suspension for a positive drug test.
In an effort to fight his punishment, Gordon's camp participated in a marathon appeal session earlier this month in front of arbitrator Harold Henderson.
Losing Gordon all but cripples Cleveland's meager passing offense, stripping the Browns of the most exciting playmaker they've employed since the team's return to the league in 1999. Gordon's monster 1,646-yard campaign came despite the third-year wideout playing just 14 games and catching balls from the likes of Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell.
Without Gordon on the field, quarterback Brian Hoyer will lean heavily on Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Cameron and a ground game led by Ben Tate and rookie Terrance West.
Back in May, the Gordon announcement demoralized a fan base still riding the wave of draftingJohnny Manziel. With the rookie quarterback on the bench and Cleveland's most reliable target banished into the wilderness, it's shaping up as another painful autumn by the shores of Lake Erie.
Josh Gordon's fate for 2014 has finally been decided.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the NFL has suspended the Cleveland Browns wide receiver for one season on Wednesday for violating the league's substance abuse policy, according to a source.
Last year's league-leading wideout has waited for word on his future since the second day of May's draft, when we first learned that Gordon faced a potentially lengthy suspension for a positive drug test.
In an effort to fight his punishment, Gordon's camp participated in a marathon appeal session earlier this month in front of arbitrator Harold Henderson.
Losing Gordon all but cripples Cleveland's meager passing offense, stripping the Browns of the most exciting playmaker they've employed since the team's return to the league in 1999. Gordon's monster 1,646-yard campaign came despite the third-year wideout playing just 14 games and catching balls from the likes of Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell.
Without Gordon on the field, quarterback Brian Hoyer will lean heavily on Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Cameron and a ground game led by Ben Tate and rookie Terrance West.
Back in May, the Gordon announcement demoralized a fan base still riding the wave of draftingJohnny Manziel. With the rookie quarterback on the bench and Cleveland's most reliable target banished into the wilderness, it's shaping up as another painful autumn by the shores of Lake Erie.
