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On Monday, the Cleveland Browns and wide receiver Josh Gordon announced on that he will not be available at the start of Browns training camp “as part of his overall health and treatment plan.” Gordon’s tone throughout the message is entirely positive, and seems to paint a picture that this will not be some extended absence.
Josh Gordon’s Statement
To my Cleveland Browns and NFL family,
I am reaching out to you all personally and letting you know that I am not only doing great physically but mentally as well. You will notice that I will not be in Cleveland for the start of training camp. Rest assured this too is a part of my overall health and treatment plan. I appreciate the awesome support I have received from teammates, friends, fans, and the Browns’ organization. Just like you, I am excited to start the season and I have every intention of being ready and available to join my teammates soon to help bring winning football to our fans.
With the help of the NFL, NFLPA, and the Browns’ organization, I have been able to utilize the resources available to me that will ensure my well-being on and off the field. By continuing to follow the plan set up by our medical director and his team and taking this time before the season starts, we believe it will help me maintain the progress I’ve made for not only today but for many years to come.
Thank you all for your patience, love, and support! Go Browns!
Sincerely,
Josh Gordon
Thanks again.. See ya soon..
— Flash Gordon (@JOSH_GORDONXII) July 23, 2018
GM John Dorsey’s Statement
Browns GM John Dorsey said the following in a statement:
”We will continue to support Josh as he receives the care needed to maintain his progress. We are going to respect his privacy while he is away from the team. Josh will be placed on the non-football illness reserve list until he is ready to return.”
What is Going On?
Tom Pelissero of the USA Today has a source that says Gordon is “absolutely not suspended.”
For anyone suspicious of Josh Gordon's announcement that he won't be at the start of #Browns camp, he's "absolutely not suspended," source said. Continuing to work on his issues, as Gordon said in his tweets.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 23, 2018
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy says that “there is no suspension.” However, McCarthy also was a bit vague in saying, “We will address the matter at the appropriate time. There’s no timetable.”
In an ideal world, this truly is all part of the plan to ensure Gordon’s life continues to stay on track after all of the progress he has already made, and the announcement was made just so fans did not speculate the worst when he wasn’t seen at the start of camp.