The Cleveland Browns placed Josh Gordon on the non-football illness list on Monday, and the star receiver announced that he is leaving the team temporarily as part of his ongoing treatment plan. That led to speculation that he may have failed a drug test or had a relapse of some sort, but all indications are that his standing with the league remains just fine.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gordon’s absence from the start of training camp this week is a “proactive” decision so he can get extra counseling.
Browns’ WR Josh Gordon did not have any slip ups or failed tests, per sources. His leave 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. Those who know him say he has “worked his a— off.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 23, 2018
That meshes with what a source told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, which is that Gordon has “absolutely” not been suspended.
For anyone suspicious of Josh Gordon's announcement that he won't be at the start of #Browns camp, he's "absolutely not suspended," source said. Continuing to work on his issues, as Gordon said in his tweets.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 23, 2018
Gordon remains in Stage Three of the NFL’s substance abuse program, which means he can be tested up to 10 times a month. Any failed test or failure to comply would result in an indefinite ban of at least a year.
The NFL said in a statement that there is “no timetable” for Gordon’s return and that the situation will be addressed at a later date. It’s understandable that people wondered if the receiver had failed a test after the way he has opened up about his substance abuse issues recently, but there’s no reason to think he won’t be ready for Week 1.
