Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was expected to be back on the field after his four-game suspension concluded this week.
Unfortunately for the Browns, Gordon himself threw a wrench into that idea. The embattled young receiver checked himself in rehab this week, a clear indication that he fell off the proverbial wagon once again.
Now comes this report from NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport suggesting that Gordon did in fact have a slip-up that led directly to his decision to enter rehab.
Sources: #Browns WR Josh Gordon entered rehab after what was described to me as a “slip-up,” a potential violation of drug & alcohol policy.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 2, 2016
The biggest takeaway here has to be that Gordon may have once again violated the league’s substance abuse policy.
Considering the guy has been suspended three different times for violations in the past, another positive test would potentially force him into another indefinite suspension.
Even if Gordon were to get his house in order off the field and find a way to stay clean, this is something that will surely impact his ability to catch on with another NFL team.
Following the announcement that Gordon had entered rehab, reports out of Cleveland suggested the team was prepared to move on from him (more on that here).
If that’s the case, Gordon will likely become a free agent at some point soon. A free agent that’s potentially facing another indefinite suspension.
This might not be the end of Gordon’s career, but it’s unrealistic to expect him back on a football field anytime soon.