The latest news on Browns WR Josh Gordon, as ESPN says team intends part ways with him

With the surprising news on Thursday of WR Josh Gordon deciding to enter in-patient rehab, we were awaiting news on the rest of the story. There were quite a few sub-plots on Friday that came out regarding Gordon, so let’s get to them.

TSA Story Retracted by The OBR

I’ve always advocate the subscriber side of The OBR, and late-Thursday/early-Friday morning, they appeared to have the scoop on what happened with Gordon, saying that the TSA caught him with a pound of marijuana at Cleveland Hopkins Airport.

Friday afternoon, various outlets, including TMZ and the Plain Dealer, reported that the story was not true. The OBR has thus retracted the story, apologizing to both Gordon and the Browns for the misinformation. I normally wouldn’t link to any “stolen” subscriber content, but because the story has become a story, here is where it was being discussed on Reddit and here is the OBR’s retraction.

Personal aside: I defend The OBR’s work, as bad as it may look. They posted rumors that they were hearing in their subscriber-only forum, and then the news was ripped off to other outlets, where it was taken more as proven fact.

Hue Jackson Refuses to Talk Further About Gordon

After answering a couple of questions on Gordon to begin his Friday press conference, Jackson told reporters that he’s not talking about him any further. I think this was just to focus on what’s important to the 53 guys who are in the locker room, and that’s this Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins. Here is the context of Jackson’s comments:

On when WR Josh Gordon informed the Browns that rehab was his next step: “We have talked several times, but I don’t want to get into the specifics of it. Obviously, Josh is not here and is doing what he thinks he needs to do for his life, which we support 100 percent. Today is really the last Josh Gordon comment I want to make about that. I think what is best for our football team is that we move forward and move on. He is not going to be with us. We wish him well, but we are moving forward. We are going to move on.”

On why it ‘seems like the Browns are going to done with Gordon,’ given checking into rehab can be viewed as a positive step: “You said the key thing, ‘We seem like.’ I just think for me, for our team and for everybody involved, my goal is to make sure that we take care of the players that are here and the players that are practicing and working. I care about everybody. I think that is the seat I sit in, but at the same time, he is not here. That is why we wished him well and want the best for him. I think the most important thing I can do is make sure that our football team that are here, the guys that are practicing, the guys that are going to play, the guys that are in the meeting room and working hard to get ready for a game is that our focus and our attention to detail is right. That is my main concern. I think what we need to do is just close that chapter right now. He is doing what he needs to do. We need to do what we need to do, which is continue to move forward.”

On if there is added disappointment that it didn’t work out with Gordon, given the Browns were able to be directly involved and have him in the facility: “Again, none of that matters right now. He is not… Again, I’m not going to answer anymore Josh Gordon comments or questions. I’m done with it. I’m going to coach our team that is here. That is what I want to do. No more questions about Josh Gordon.”

ESPN Says the Browns Intend to move on from Gordon

A source told ESPN's Dan Graziano that the Browns “intend to part ways with Gordon.” It’s not clear when, and how (cut or trade) the team plans on doing it. What I want to know is what happens to Gordon’s roster spot after this week’s game. Does he still technically come off the suspension list, with Cleveland having to make a decision? Does he go on the Commissioner’s exempt list, where he’d still collect a paycheck?