NFL Reinstating Patriots WR Josh Gordon

Adam Schefter reports that the NFL is reinstating Patriots WR Josh Gordon on Friday.

The NFL has already confirmed that Gordon is being reinstated on a conditional basis. 

“We are all rooting for Josh to succeed, both personally and professionally,” said
commissioner Roger Goodell. “Everyone shares in that hope and will continue to support him to every extent possible. But as Josh acknowledged, ultimately his success is up to him.”

Gordon reportedly filed for reinstatement to the NFL a few weeks ago after being suspended indefinitely for a violation of league rules last year. 

Gordon initially announced that he was stepping away to focus on his mental health before reports later surfaced that he was being suspended for violating terms of his reinstatement under the substance abuse policy.

This is big news for the Patriots, who could really use receiving help. Gordon was an impact player for them last year and New England made it clear that they were willing to welcome him back to the team once he was reinstated by the NFL.

Gordon, 28, is a former second-round supplemental pick of the Browns back in 2012. Suspensions forced Gordon to sit out the 2015 and 2016 seasons but he was reinstated in November of 2017 and finished out the seasons with the Browns.

The Browns re-signed Gordon to a one-year exclusive rights contract worth $790,000 but he was traded to the Patriots for a 2019 fifth-round pick. New England re-signed Gordon to a one-year, restricted deal this offseason that will cost them $2.025 million for the 2019 season.

In 2018, Gordon appeared in 12 games for the Patriots and caught 41 passes for 737 yards receiving and four touchdowns.