SEATTLE _ As controversial wide receiver Josh Gordon prepares for his first practice with the Seahawks on Thursday, his new Seattle teammates say they will welcome him with an open mind.
"You look at the history of this organization, you always have different personalities and the locker room always stays intact," veteran left tackle Duane Brown said after the Seahawks' victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday. "Guys thrive here and I think he'll be no exception. We were all very excited when we saw the news.
"So when he gets here, we'll embrace him. We'll be here for him in whatever capacity we need to be, but I expect nothing but the best from him."
The Seahawks were the only team to claim Gordon off waivers last Friday, a day after New England released him off the injured reserve. Gordon had aggravated a knee injury with the Patriots in an Oct. 10 game against the New York Giants.
He passed his physical on Saturday and met with coach Pete Carroll for the first time Monday. It's unclear whether Gordon will be available to play against San Francisco on Monday Night Football, and Carroll has tried to temper immediate expectations of the wide receiver.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner, a team captain, said he is optimistic about how Gordon will fit in with the Seahawks.
"The environment here is very welcoming," Wagner said. "It's definitely an environment that allows you to be yourself; it allows you to be the best version of yourself. We're not trying to have him or anybody in here be anybody but themselves.
"The veteran leadership, the guys who have been here, it's on us to bring him in and show him the way that we have grown accustomed to."
Gordon, 28, is joining his third NFL team in 14 months.
A one-time All Pro receiver, he has been suspended five times since 2013 for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, and he has been suspended for more games (61) in his NFL career than he has played in (58).
Can that change with the Seahawks, in what might be Gordon's last chance to stick on an NFL roster?
