BEREA, Ohio _ The return of Josh Gordon has Hue Jackson so excited that the coach is mixing up his holidays.
Gordon is scheduled to practice Wednesday with the 0-10 Browns on the eve of Thanksgiving. But the thought of No. 12 on the field has Jackson's mind fast-forwarding to next month.
"It's like Christmas," Jackson said Monday. "I get to open a new toy. I know what's in that box, but I just want to see how good it is. It's exciting that he'll be back out there."
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Gordon on a conditional basis Nov. 1. Under the terms of Gordon's reinstatement, the 2013 All-Pro wide receiver became eligible to return to practice Monday. The Browns don't practice Mondays, so they arranged a workout for Gordon.
"There are things that I think he did with the quarterbacks," Jackson said.
The players are off Tuesday, so Gordon will practice with the Browns on Wednesday for the first time since September 2016, when he left the team to check into rehab.
Gordon, 26, has been suspended for the last 43 games and 53 of the past 58 because of several violations of the league's substance-abuse policy. He's been attending meetings and working out under the guidance of the Browns' strength and conditioning staff since reuniting with the team Nov. 7.
"First and foremost, I'm just happy for him," left guard Joel Bitonio said. "I think he's in a good place. You can kind of tell that he's just mentally refreshed almost. He's been away from the game, and I think it was a little humbling for him.
"And if he can get back on the field, that's one of the stories of the Cleveland Browns that, hey, this guy was down in the dumps, and he's kind of risen from the ashes, so to say, and hopefully gets back out there and helps us get some wins."
If all goes well with Gordon, he'll be eligible to play in the final five games of the season beginning Dec. 3 on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers. He hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since Dec. 21, 2014.
"It would be huge," Bitonio said. "We're still a couple of weeks away from him playing, and we've got to focus on this week. But anytime you bring (back) a dynamic player _ he was probably the best receiver in the game in 2013 _ and if he can come back to anywhere near that level, I think it helps an offense tremendously.
"Not only for him, but getting (receiver) Corey (Coleman) open. You get the tight ends open more, or maybe it will be open up the box a little bit for the running backs and things of that nature. So it can be dynamic, and I know we (have) six games left. But it can really help, I think."
Defensive players are eager for Wednesday, too.
"(Gordon is) a great dude," linebacker James Burgess said. "When he was (playing) here, he had crazy numbers. He's going to definitely challenge our DBs and safeties in coverage and linebackers on shallow routes. Just ready to get him on the field and get him out there in the Dawg Pound."
But Gordon, who led the NFL with 1,646 receiving yards four years ago, must stay on the right path off the field to ensure he'll play football again.
"We're always available to him," Jackson said. "He's entitled to be a man and make his decisions and do the right thing. We truly believe and support that he will. He has done everything we have asked him to do thus far. He's working extremely hard.
"He's excited about being back and having the opportunity. He was on our sideline (Sunday), and it was a treat just dialoging with him and (talking about) the things he saw. The ways he thinks he can help. To me, that was exciting. He's doing well, and hopefully that will continue."
