Former Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon is facing another banishment from the NFL for violating the terms of his reinstatement under the substance-abuse policy, the league's network reported Thursday.
The report came on the heels of Gordon announcing on Twitter he's leaving the New England Patriots to address his mental health.
Gordon received countless chances to redeem himself with the Browns the past six years, until general manager John Dorsey traded the 2013 All-Pro selection and a 2019 seventh-round draft pick to the Patriots on Sept. 17 in exchange for a 2019 fifth-round selection.
Because of numerous suspensions during his Browns tenure, Gordon missed 43 consecutive games and 54 of 64 from 2014-17. He played for the Browns in their Sept. 9 season-opening tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers and caught one pass for a 17-yard touchdown.
But the Browns announced on the eve of their Week 2 game in New Orleans they would release Gordon after he showed up late at team headquarters the same day and complained about a hamstring injury members of the franchise did not believe he suffered in practice. There was also a sense within the organization Gordon could have been struggling again with his well-chronicled battle with drug and alcohol addiction.
Two days later, Dorsey traded Gordon to the Patriots instead of cutting him.
Gordon, 27, appeared in 11 games with the Patriots and caught 40 passes for 720 yards and three touchdowns.
