Policy changed, NFL reduces Gordon's suspension to 10 games

BEREA, Ohio -- Josh Gordon's tangled ordeal, full of legal twists and turns, has finally been straightened out.

He can run a route back to the Browns this season.

Cleveland's star wide receiver was reinstated into the NFL and had his one-year suspension reduced to 10 games Friday after the league announced changes to its drug policy. The decision ends months of personal torment for the Pro Bowler, who had been banned for repeated drug violations.

Gordon will be eligible to play in Cleveland's final six games after the league and NFL Players Association agreed on revisions to the substance abuse program two days after announcing changes on performance enhancing drugs.

"I'm happy that the NFLPA and NFL worked hard to agree on a new substances-of-abuse policy," Gordon said in a statement. "I'm very thankful to my union for fighting for a significant reduction in my suspension. I'm glad I can go to the facility during my suspension. I look forward to going to meetings, working out individually, and learning from my coaches and teammates. I can't wait until game 11 to get back on the field!"

Because he has already served two games of the suspension, Gordon will be eligible to play Nov. 23 when the Browns visit Atlanta. Gordon's 10-game suspension will cost him more than $800,000. He'll be paid over $300,000 if he plays in those last six games.

Gordon's complicated saga has hung over the Browns for months. He spent training camp with the team and played in some exhibition games as his case remained in limbo while he and the Browns waited for the league to rule. Gordon didn't speak to reporters for months, and only recently disclosed in an interview that he was depressed.

Now, there's some closure and it may have saved Gordon's career.

Along with Gordon, free agent LaVon Brazill also had his suspension lessened to 10 games.

Gordon was suspended by the league earlier this year for one season for another failed marijuana test. Gordon appealed the ban, his lawyers arguing he tested positive for secondhand smoke. The appeal was denied on Aug. 22 by an arbitrator and it appeared Gordon would not be able to play until 2015. And even that wasn't for certain.

But thanks to the revised policy, Gordon is coming back, assuming he'll stay clean during the suspension.

Under the new provisions, Gordon will be allowed to work out and attend team meetings at the Browns' facility. Before the changes, Gordon was only permitted to meet with his clinician at team's headquarters.

During his suspension, Gordon has been working for a local car dealership. But his locker remained filled with his personal belongings.

On Tuesday, Gordon pleaded guilty to a DWI charge in Raleigh, North Carolina, allowing him to avoid an additional two-game suspension under the new policies.

The NFL's new policy on substance abuse includes two additional disciplinary stages for marijuana positives. A first violation will result in referral to the substance abuse program, which has always been the case.

Subsequent violations will result in a two-game fine, a four-game fine, a four-game suspension, a 10-game suspension, and one-year banishment.

In addition, the threshold for a positive marijuana test will be raised from 15 nanograms to 35 nanograms, reflecting recent actions taken by other testing organizations.

Once Gordon returns, Browns coach Mike Pettine said he and general manager Ray Farmer plan to meet with the talented 23-year-old.

"We'll sit down with him and just kind of lay the plan out for him," Pettine said.

Sports on 09/20/2014

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