Josh Gordon announced on Thursday morning that he is leaving the New England Patriots to focus on his mental health, but the timing of his decision hardly seems like a coincidence.
Just hours later, the NFL announced that Gordon has been suspended indefinitely for violating the terms of his conditional reinstatement.
Now official:
Effective today, Josh Gordon has been returned to the Reserve/Commissioner Suspended list indefinitely for violating the terms of his conditional reinstatement under the Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 20, 2018
Gordon has been suspended multiple times for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, and his latest slip-up could result in a permanent ban from the league. Even if it doesn’t, it seems unlikely that any team would sign the star wide receiver.
The Patriots acquired Gordon in a trade with the Browns earlier this year, sending a fifth-round draft pick to Cleveland in exchange for Gordon and a seventh-round pick. He caught 40 passes for 720 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games with New England.
Gordon opened up last year about the extent of his substance abuse issues, and it sound like he is still struggling with addiction.
