Josh Gordon Seeking Counseling To Deal With Mental Health & Anxiety

Adam Schefter of ESPN, citing league sources, reports that Browns WR Josh Gordon is seeking additional counseling before camp opens to deal with his mental health and anxiety.

According to the report, the Browns expect Gordon to return at some point, but as of now there’s no exact timetable given the nature of the treatment. The Browns believe that Gordon is doing all he can to ensure there are no setbacks.

Schefter reported yesterday that Gordon did not have any slip ups or failed tests and his absence from the team is a “pro-active, defensive gesture to get extra counseling to try to ensure he does not have any of the setbacks that have marked his past.”

The Browns GM John Dorsey announced Monday that they’re placing WR Josh Gordon on the non-football illness list.

“We will continue to support Josh as he receives the care needed to maintain his progress. We are going to respect his privacy while he is away from the team. Josh will be placed on the non-football illness reserve list until he is ready to return.”

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy released the following statement regarding Gordon: “No timetable. We’ll address the matter at the appropriate time.”

Gordon, 26, 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 last year and finished out the seasons with the Browns.

The Browns re-signed Gordon to a one-year exclusive rights contract worth $790,000. Gordon is in line to be a restricted free agent in 2019.

In 2017, Gordon appeared in five games for the Browns and caught 18 passes for 335 yards receiving and one touchdown.