Josh Gordon Returns Off NFI, Two New Patriots In Eventful Practice

Josh Gordon joined the Patriots wearing a uniform on Sunday. In other words, he is off of the NFI list. Gordon was placed on this list after the NFL reinstated him conditionally.

The Patriots had two new players on the field. There was an offensive player wearing No. 39 and a defender wearing No. 96.

RB Damien Harris, WR Cameron Meredith, WR Maurice Harris, TE Lance Kendricks, TE Ben Watson, C David Andrews, OT Yodny Cajuste, DE Keionta Davis, LB Brandon King, LB Trent Harris, LB Shilique Calhoun and LB Derek Rivers weren’t spotted with the team.

Patriots players were more than happy about Gordon’s reinstatement.

“I’ve briefly been able to say hello to him,” running back Rex Burkhead said. “He’s a great player, great guy, and it’s a pleasure to see him around again. … He’s a great addition for our team. Whatever the coaches ask for him, I’m sure he’ll be ready to do.” 

“We love Josh,” fellow wideout Phillip Dorsett added. “I love Josh. I’m just glad to have him back. … It’s definitely good to see him. It’s refreshing.” 

During his tenure with the Patriots, Gordon caught 40 passes on 69 targets for 720 yards and three touchdowns.

“He’s a physical specimen,” Dorsett said. “We all know that. Even from what he did last year — he helped this team out a lot. And we’re definitely hoping he can come back and do the same.” 

Dorsett was the player who had the best reaction to Gordon’s reinstatement.

“It definitely would mean a lot to him, because I know it means a lot to him to just play football,” he recently told ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “I was definitely close to him. I just hope he gets himself right. That’s my main concern — just him as a human being. I don’t really care about the football thing. I just want to see him be healthy in his mind, his body and spirit.”

“Josh is a great teammate,” center David Andrews said, “and we are glad to have him back.” 

The McCourty twin agreed.

“I’d be happy for him,” he said. “I think at this point, everybody here, you’re just encouraging and you just hope everything is working right with him — not only with reinstatement but just in life, that he’s doing well, progressing the way he needs to progress. If the next step in that progression is coming back to the team, obviously everyone here would be thrilled to have him. He’s an awesome person, dealing with things just like the rest of us.”