Josh Gordon, scheduled to return to the Cleveland Browns after suspensions kept him sidelined, announced a trip to rehab.
“After careful thought and deep consideration I’ve decided that I need to step away from pursuing my return to the Browns and my football career to enter an in-patient rehabilitation facility,” Gordon explained in a statement. “This is the right decision for me and one that I hope will enable me to gain full control of my life and continue on a path to reach my full potential as a person. I appreciate the support of the NFL, NFLPA, the Browns, my teammates, my agent and the community through this extremely challenging process.”
Brown last competed in 2014. The NFL testing program nailed the wide receiver for marijuana that year and subsequently for a violation stemming from alcohol, which extended his suspension. In 2013, he accumulated 1,646 receiving yards and nine touchdowns despite a trio of journeymen quarterbacks throwing him the ball and a two-game suspension to start the season.
“We support Josh in taking this step to seek additional help and treatment,” Sashi Brown, Browns executive vice president of football operations, said in a statement. “His singular focus must be on his own health. We want nothing more than for Josh to be successful personally and professionally and will not comment on his status with the organization at this time.”