Josh Gordon has failed another drug test, according to report
The first pass thrown to Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was just a bit beyond his reach during the first quarter as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant defends. (Joshua Gunter / The Plain Dealer)
Mary Kay Cabot, Northeast Ohio Media Group By Mary Kay Cabot, Northeast Ohio Media Group
on January 25, 2015 at 4:15 PM, updated January 25, 2015 at 4:18 PM
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Josh Gordon has failed another drug test, according to a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter, raising doubt again about his future with the Cleveland Browns.
The failed drug test is just the latest in a series of missteps by the receiver. The last game of the 2014 season, he was suspended by the Browns for violation of team rules after he a mandatory walk-through.
Gordon was placed on the list for reserve/suspended by club and missed Sunday's season finale in Baltimore. Gordon had been late to other team functions this season and has been fined for it.
Missing the Ravens game left Gordon with only five games played this season, which does not account as an accrued year. It means that the Browns will have him under contract through 2016 -- unless Gordon's agent Drew Rosenhaus and the NFLPA fight the situation and win.
When Gordon's year-long marijuana ban for this season was reduced to 10 games and he became eligible for the last six games last fall, the Browns got cheated out of a year of free agency. With Gordon set to play in six games in 2014 -- an accrued season -- he would've been eligible for unrestricted free agency after 2015.
The way it stands now, Gordon would be a restricted free agent after 2015 and an unrestricted after 2016.
Unless a battle with Gordon's camp ensues -- and it likely will.
Gordon started five games after returning from his 10-game suspension imposed by the NFL. He made 24 catches for 303 yards.
Gordon was also suspended by the NFL for two games at the beginning of 2013 for testing positive for codeine, which he said was in his prescribed cough syrup. He returned to lead the NFL with 1,646 yards and make the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams.
Browns general manager Ray Farmer has consistently said a team does not need an elite receiver to win a Super Bowl, and the Browns were not pleased with Gordon's performance after he returned for the Falcons game Nov. 23.
After catching eight and seven passes in his first two games back, he caught two, three and four in the next three games.
The Browns might be getting to the point where they feel Gordon isn't worth the trouble. And if he feels the Browns suspended him for this game to keep him from becoming a free agent after next year, he might not want to be here any longer.
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