ESPN's OTL: 'Josh Gordon faces suspension'

As the excitement behind a thrilling first round yesterday was beginning to calm heading into Friday night's continuation of the NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns received some incredibly sobering news this evening that could have a major impact on their plans going forward.

ESPN's "Outside the Lines" is reporting that WR Josh Gordon could be facing a season-long suspension as the result of a second failed drug test months ago, according to sources.

Josh Gordon has been told the league is planning to suspend him for the upcoming season: http://t.co/EzBgnLDJQB

— Dwayne Bray (@DwayneBrayESPN) May 9, 2014

From the report by T.J. Quinn and Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN.com:

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon could face a season-long suspension after a second failed drug test months ago, this time for marijuana, sources told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" on Friday.

Reached by phone Friday afternoon, Gordon said: "That's something you're going to have to talk to [agent] Drew Rosenhaus about. I really don't know anything about it."

Asked whether he planned an appeal of his suspension and test, Gordon said, "I'm going to have to find out about that later. You need to call Drew," before hanging up.

Rosenhaus declined to comment but said the information was "not true."

UPDATE:

Chris Mortensen, NFL Insider for ESPN, is reporting that only those high-ranking in the Browns' front office were aware of Gordon's potential impending suspension for some time. However, per league rules, as the case remains in an appeals process, the coaching staff did not learn about it until ESPN.com published the story.

Browns upper echelon made their first-round decisions with knowledge of Josh Gordon's pending status, is under appeal, per sources

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) May 9, 2014