Josh Gordon reinstatement: Studies say NFL has reinstated the previous All-Professional receiver

Former All-Professional extensive receiver Josh Gordon has formally been granted reinstatement by the NFL, ESPN’s Adam Schefter introduced Friday. 

MORE: Josh Gordon timeline: How WR’s career path led him to latest suspension, new chance with Seahawks

Gordon’s reinstatement represents the newest chapter in his winding, halting NFL profession; when he has been capable of play, Gordon has proven himself to be some of the proficient receivers within the league. His struggles with substance abuse and ensuing NFL suspensions have dominated his time within the league, nevertheless.

With that, Sporting Information breaks down Gordon’s potential reinstatement, the variety of NFL suspensions he has confronted and extra.

Why was Josh Gordon up for reinstatement within the NFL?

Gordon has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL since December 2019. He was conditionally reinstated by the league in December 2020 — he had signed with the Seahawks three months prior, with the staff assured he could be totally reinstated later within the season — however had it rescinded on Jan. 15, 2021.

An NFL spokesperson informed ESPN on the time that he had violated the league’s substance-abuse coverage, providing no additional particulars. Following his rescinded reinstatement in January, Gordon joined the Zappers of Fan Controlled Football in March 2021, reuniting with former Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel.

Gordon later submitted his letter of reinstatement to Goodell in July.

MORE: Fan Controlled Football league reunites Josh Gordon with Johnny Manziel

What did Josh Gordon do to be suspended?

Gordon was suspended indefinitely in December 2019 for violating the NFL’s insurance policies on performance-enhancing substances and substances of abuse.

An NFL spokesperson informed ESPN on the time that he had violated the league’s substance-abuse coverage, providing no additional particulars, although sources confirmed to ESPN that he had suffered a setback in his restoration from substance abuse.

What number of occasions has Josh Gordon been suspended?

When the NFL suspended Gordon in December 2019, it was his fifth suspension associated to the NFL’s insurance policies on substances of abuse and performance-enhancing medication and sixth total. Under is a timeline of his suspensions whereas within the NFL:

June 7, 2013 — Gordon violates the NFL’s substance-abuse coverage. He’s suspended for the Browns’ first two video games of the season.

Aug. 27, 2014 — Gordon is suspended one full yr for violating the league’s substance-abuse coverage a second time.

Dec. 27, 2014 — Gordon is suspended by the Browns for one recreation for a violation of staff guidelines.

Feb. 3, 2015 — Gordon is suspended by the NFL and is ineligible to return till the start of the 2016 season.

Dec. 20, 2018 — Gordon publicizes he’s stepping away from soccer to deal with psychological well being. Hours later, the NFL suspends him indefinitely for violating its substance-abuse coverage.

Dec. 16, 2019 — Gordon is suspended indefinitely for violating league insurance policies on performance-enhancing substances and substances of abuse.

MORE: What happened to Josh Gordon’s reinstatement? Seahawks WR out ‘indefinitely’ after substance abuse setback

What’s Josh Gordon’s age?

Gordon turned 30 on April 13. Regardless of his age, he’ll play in solely his seventh NFL season in 2021 if he’s reinstated by the league.

The previous All-Professional receiver turned in one of many league’s high receiving performances in 2013 — his second yr within the league. At age 23, he caught 87 passes for a league-leading 1,646 yards and 9 touchdowns, regardless of lacking two video games. Gordon hasn’t been capable of recreate that dominant season since, nevertheless, taking part in solely 5 video games in 2014 and lacking everything of the 2015 and ’16 seasons.

He has solely performed greater than six video games in a given season twice since 2013: as soon as in 2018, when he performed one recreation for Cleveland and 11 for New England and once more in 2019, when he performed six video games for New England and 5 for Seattle.

What staff is Josh Gordon on?

If Gordon is reinstated, he will likely be a free agent. The final staff he performed for, the Seahawks, launched him from his contract in March 2021. He additionally hung out with Cleveland (2012-14, 2017-18), New England (2018-19) and Seattle (2019).

What groups could be desirous about Gordon?

It is solely Week 2, however there are already a number of groups who might be desirous about Gordon’s providers. The Dolphins and Jets have scored the fewest factors within the league by means of the season’s first two weeks and might be potential suitors. Although there aren’t many groups with longterm accidents to established extensive receivers, a staff like Cleveland could also be so as to add to their extensive receiver depth with each Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry seemingly typically injured. The Bears may additionally wish to get one other established veteran for rookie quarterback Justin FIelds going ahead.