Suspended NFL star Josh Gordon applies for reinstatement, hopes to sign with team soon

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Josh Gordon was once one of the most-talented young receivers in the NFL. The former Cleveland Browns second-round pick in the 2012 Supplemental Draft led all pass-catchers with 1,646 yards as a sophomore back in 2013.

Due to numerous off-field and substance abuse issues, the 30-year-old Gordon has played in a combined 33 games since.

Just recently suspended by the NFL back in January, Josh Gordon has now officially applied for reinstatement and hopes to be with a team when training camps get going later this month.

Josh Gordon officially has submitted his reinstatement letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and hopes to be with a team for training camp, per a league source. The NFL has been randomly drug testing Gordon for the past three months and is said to have passed all tests.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 2, 2021

As ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted in his report, the NFL has randomly drug tested Gordon over the past three months with him passing all of the tests. That’s some great news for the veteran receiver.

Whether the NFL reinstates Gordon and he actually signs with a team is a completely different question.

Josh Gordon suspension timeline

NFL news: Josh Gordon — Nov 24, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Josh Gordon (10) catches the ball and is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jalen Mills (31) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

June 2013: two games
August 2014: Entire season
December 2014: One game
January 2015: Entire season
July 2016: Four games
December 2018: Indefinitely
December 2019: Indefinitely
January 2021: Indefinitely

This would almost literally be the definition of Gordon being given a 10th chance by the NFL.

After suiting up for the Cleveland Browns from 2012 through part of the 2017 season, Gordon played 17 games with the New England Patriots and appeared in five outings with the Seattle Seahawks before they released him during the spring.

The former Baylor standout has not appeared in an NFL game since the 2019 season. In 63 career outings, he’s recorded 247 receptions for 4,252 yards and 20 touchdowns.