Fansided

Report: Josh Gordon to have suspension reduced to 8 games

Aug 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Cassius Vaughn (29) knocks a pass away from Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Cassius Vaughn (29) knocks a pass away from Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon could be getting some good news soon. Suspended for the year following (another) substance-related suspension (likely involving either firsthand or secondhand marijuana smoke, depending on if you ask the NFL or Gordon), Gordon could be the beneficiary of a new drug policy expected to be approved by the NFL and the player’s union today.

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The NFL has had its share of travesties lately, and concerns regarding the league’s procedures for drug testing have flared up following the suspensions of Gordon and a few other players in unrelated cases. Gordon’s suspension is severe as he’s a repeat offender of the substance abuse policy. But the Browns might have some hopeful news today:

An eight-game suspension is still a tad silly for a substance such as marijuana, which is likely not a performance-enhancing drug but is on the NFL’s list of banned substances. But still, Browns fans should probably be grateful Gordon will play at all this year, and there’s a chance when he suits up for his first game of 2014 (likely November 6, against the Cincinnati Bengals, assuming the suspension includes last week’s game), he’ll be catching passes from backup Johnny Manziel instead of current starter Brian Hoyer.