Cleveland Browns

Browns WR Josh Gordon is reinstated, suspended 4 games

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:31 p.m. ET

Dan Graf

The NFL has notified Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon that he has been reinstated on a conditional basis but that he will be suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season.

Here's the NFL's full release on Josh Gordon ... pic.twitter.com/iIoqmdSk3A
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 25, 2016

Gordon, 25, has been suspended indefinitely since February 2015, and the league had denied his last petition for reinstatement in April after he failed an NFL administered drug test in March.

He had been suspended previously for multiple violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy but now will be able to participate in training camp and preseason games provided he meets league guidelines for his treatment.

Gordon led the league with 1,646 receiving yards in 2013, his second year as a pro, but played in only five games in 2014 due to suspensions and then sat out all of last season.

Statement from #Browns EVP of Football Operations Sashi Brown on WR Josh Gordon pic.twitter.com/XidcnoL23h
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 25, 2016

He will be eligible to play his first regular-season game Oct. 9 against the Patriots and will miss games against the Eagles (Sept. 11), Ravens (Sept. 18), Dolphins (Sept. 25) and Redskins (Oct. 2).