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Cleveland Browns WR Josh Gordon Reinstated

Aug 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns’ wide receiver Josh Gordon has officially been reinstated to the NFL effective immediately.

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Needless to say, the Cleveland Browns’ loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday was a major disappointment after their big Thursday Night Football win over the Cincinnati Bengals last week. They are legitimate playoff contenders in the AFC, and their fan base is desperate for a playoff appearance after all of the struggles that the Browns have had.

Despite the loss, the Browns did get a piece of good news following Sunday’s game against the Texans. Star wide receiver Josh Gordon is now officially reinstated to the NFL and will be back for the Browns next week against the Atlanta Falcons. Brian Hoyer has had a great season as the Browns’ quarterback, but throwing Gordon into the mix will give him yet another deadly option in the aerial attack.

Gordon came through with a monster season last year for the Browns, catching 87 passes for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns. The Browns’ offense hasn’t bee too bad this year, but they haven’t had a dynamic playmaker like Gordon either. They will immediately be a better offense and will have the capability to put up quite a few more points than they have been.

Cleveland’s defense has been very solid all year long, and the offense has been just good enough to win football games. Now that Gordon is back on the field, the Browns are going to put a lot more pressure on opposing defenses. Hoyer is looking like a good bet to get an extension, and his numbers should take a sharp increase now that his best target is back.

It will be interesting to see if Gordon is able to stay out of off-the-field trouble from this point forward. He has gotten into trouble due to violating the drug policy multiple times, and he would have missed the entire season if it hadn’t been for a change in the drug policy. Cleveland desperately needs him to stay out of trouble and on the field, and it is up to him to realize the potential that he has moving forward and give up the things that are holding him back.

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