Report: Josh Gordon Was Suspended For Multiple Violations

The loss of Josh Gordon is a blow to the New England Patriots, of that there is no doubt. But of more pressing importance is that the wide receiver gets mentally healthy and wins his battle with substance abuse.

Gordon announced Thursday he would be stepping away from football to focus on his mental health. The announcement preceded a statement from the NFL that Gordon has been suspended indefinitely for violating terms of his reinstatement under the Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.

As New England gears up to play their first game without their leading receiver in Gordon since trading for him earlier this season, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network gave some more insight into what exactly led to Gordon’s suspension and opened up a window for when he could be back on the field. 

“My understanding is that Josh Gordon was suspended for multiple violations of the NFL-NFLPA Substance Abuse Policy,” Rapoport said on Sunday. “It’s not like it was, say, one missed test. It was multiple and from what I am also told it is more than marijuana so clearly for Josh Gordon this exiting of football to focus on his health is something that is needed. 

“As far as when he may actually be back, this is an indefinite suspension. He would have to show the NFL and show Roger Goodell that he is clear for a sustained period of time. Could he be back possibly by the start of the 2019 season? From what I understand, it is possible. It would of course be a little bit quick, but it’s possible for that to happen.” 

Rapoport went on to say that the “Patriots were very upfront about this possibility all along. They hoped it would not happen, but they knew that it might.” 

That last note by Rapoport does back up the speculation around the NFL Trade Deadline that the Patriots were in on potentially acquiring the likes of Demaryius Thomas and which is why the decided to hang on to Phillip Dorsett rather than trade him as teams inquired on his availability.