ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 23: Josh Gordon #12 of the Cleveland Browns stands on the sideliens in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 23, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has announced that he will not be attending the team’s training camp in order to abide by a “health and treatment plan” as he returns for what he hopes will be his first full season since 2013 following several substance-abuse violations. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Gordon is seeking counseling in order to fully treat the mental health issues with which he has been dealing over the past few years. The receiver indicated that he used marijuana and alcohol in order to self-medicate and treat his anxiety.
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Gordon made the announcement himself via Twitter.
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The Browns have responded with nothing but support for Gordon, as they indicated that they will welcome him back to the team whenever he feels ready to return. Via a statement, Browns general manager John Dorsey said, “We will continue to support Josh as he receives the care needed to maintain his progress. We are going to respect his privacy while he is away from the team.”
Prior to his series of substance-abuse suspensions, Gordon had a monumentally dominant season in 2013, in which recorded 1,646 receiving yards (best in the NFL) and 9 touchdowns on 87 receptions. What makes this even more impressive is that he was thrown to by the likes of Jason Campbell, Brandon Weeden, and Brian Hoyer.
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Gordon clearly has a ton of talent, and is primed to be one of the NFL’s best receivers should he stay on the field. The Browns are looking to make quite the splash in the AFC this year, acquiring a pair of Pro-Bowlers in quarterback Tyrod Taylor from the Buffalo Bills and wide receiver Jarvis Landry from the Miami Dolphins. Perhaps even more important, though, is the development of the 2018 first overall pick, quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Browns clearly view Mayfield as the future of their franchise, and the presence of a dominant wide receiver will be seriously beneficial to his progression into stardom.
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