The New England Patriots appear to be getting a huge boost entering the regular season.
The NFL is reinstating wide receiver Josh Gordon, as first reported Friday by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Though Gordon will not be eligible to play in the team’s upcoming preseason game, he will be set to play in the regular season.
Gordon was acquired by the Patriots in a trade with Cleveland last September. He played in 11 games for the Pats, catching 40 passes for 720 yards and three touchdowns.
The 28-year-old announced in December he would be stepping away from the team. He had violated terms of his conditional reinstatement from the league, reportedly by failing multiple drug tests.
Gordon signed a franchise tender with the Patriots over the offseason to ensure he would remain with the team if he were reinstated. The Pats even seemed to be holding a spot open for him too. Now we know why.
Gordon has only played in 52 career games since 2012 because of multiple suspensions. The 12 games he played last season were his most in a season since 2013.
