Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will hear free agent WR Josh Gordon‘s reinstatement case.
Fowler says Gordon anticipates hearing back from the league at some point in the next 30 days. From there, he could meet with Goodell either face-to-face or virtually.
Sources tell Fowler that Gordon has been staying clean, but he hasn’t been drug tested, due in part to the ongoing pandemic.
Gordon is hoping to sign with a team before the start of training camp, which is set to open on July 28 as of now.
Gordon officially submitted his application for reinstatement to the NFL last Wednesday. His lawyer Adam Kenner later explained that Gordon’s relapse was due in part to the death of his brother.
“Josh had a lapse because of his brother’s death,” Gordon’s lawyer Adam Kenner told NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero. “But since that time, he has realized how important it is for him to take the right steps, do what’s proper and understand how to manage these issues. He’s installed the right team around him to make sure he’s on the right path. He understands he’s been given every chance. He looks forward to making the most of this.”
Tom Pelissero reported that Gordon’s suspension falls under the rules of the old CBA, as opposed to the new agreement that has a more lenient drug policy. Given the NFL recently reinstated Cowboys LB Aldon Smith from his suspension, there’s reason for hope for Gordon to be able to play in 2020.
Gordon would become a free agent if reinstated by the NFL. He has been suspended six times since entering the NFL back in 2013.
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 fifth-round pick. New England re-signed Gordon to a one-year, restricted deal last offseason.
Gordon was waived from injured reserve last year and later claimed by the Seahawks.
In 2019, Gordon appeared in 11 games for the Seahawks and Patriots and caught 27 passes for 426 yards receiving and one touchdown.
We’ll have more on Gordon as the news is available.
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