CLEVELAND — Josh Gordon’s curious and complicated career has taken a new turn.
He’s getting yet another chance.
The talented but troubled wide receiver has been reinstated on a conditional basis by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who met face to face with Gordon last week and said he believes the 25-year-old can “make the right choices” going forward.
Gordon has been banned since February 2015 for multiple violations of the league’s drug policies. He will be suspended for the first four games of the 2016-17, but he’s allowed to join the team in its upcoming training camp and can participate in meetings and conditioning work. The league said once Gordon meets clinical requirements, he can take part in preseason activities, including practices and games. The Browns have their first practice of training camp Friday.
It’s a fresh start for Gordon, who emerged as one of the league’s rising stars in 2013 before several missteps led to his banishment.
As long as he stays clean, Gordon, who met with Goodell in New York on July 19, is eligible to return to the team on Oct. 3 and play in the Oct. 9 home game against New England. That’s also the game in which Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will return following his suspension for Deflategate.
CONCUSSION PROTOCOL: The NFL and the players association have announced a new policy regarding game-day concussion protocol and discipline for clubs that violate the procedure.
Under the new policy jointly announced, the NFL and NFLPA “will follow a strict and fair process to investigate incidents and determine appropriate discipline, including club fines and possible forfeiture of draft picks.”
The league and the players union will each designate a representative to monitor the implementation of the protocol and investigate potential violations. The probe won’t reach medical conclusions; it will only determine if the protocol was followed. An arbitrator will handle cases where the league and union disagree and report to the commissioner.
TEXANS: Houston put star defensive end J.J. Watt on the physically unable to perform list less than a week before training camp begins.
The move, which was expected, comes after Watt recently had back surgery. The NFL sacks leader last season with 171/2 is expected to be ready for the season opener.
DOLPHINS: Receiver Greg Jennings is retiring after a decade in the National Football League.
The 32-year-old Jennings finishes his career with 571 catches for 8,291 yards and 64 touchdowns. He spent last season with the Miami Dolphins, making just 19 catches for 208 yards and a score, playing in all 16 games. Jennings also spent two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. But he’s best known for his seven years with the Green Bay Packers.
49ers: Offensive tackle Anthony Davis says he plans to return to the NFL after announcing his retirement a little more than a year ago.
PACKERS: Receiver Jordy Nelson won’t practice when the Green Bay Packers begin training camp on Tuesday.
Nelson was one of six Packers placed on the physically unable to perform list on Monday.
Nelson is coming back from a torn right ACL injury that kept him out for the 2015 season.
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