CLEVELAND (AP) — Josh Gordon’s troubles have deepened. He may be out of chances — and time.
The wide receiver for the Browns has failed yet another drug test, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Sunday. Gordon, who has twice been suspended by the NFL for drug violations, could be banned for one year, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the confidentiality of the testing.
ESPN, citing anonymous sources, first reported Gordon’s failed test.
Cleveland’s patience with Gordon has been pushed to its limits.
“Clearly we are very disappointed to hear the latest report regarding Josh,” a Browns spokesman said Sunday in a release. “At this point, due to the confidential nature of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, we have not been made aware by the league of a failed test. We are in the process of gathering more information and will provide further comment at the appropriate time.”
Agent Drew Rosenhaus said he could not comment on his client’s situation. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy declined comment.
“I keep in touch with Josh a lot,” Browns cornerback Joe Haden said Sunday night at the Pro Bowl in Glendale, Arizona. “He’s actually renting my spot right now back in Cleveland. But I don’t know about that. I’ll find out about that in a little bit.
“I don’t really know what the situation is, but I’m going to figure it out.”
Gordon’s latest misstep could lead to the team releasing the talented 23-year-old.
A Pro Bowl selection in 2013, he was suspended 10 games last season because he tested positive for marijuana. He returned for five games but failed to deliver the spark the Browns had hoped. He was then suspended by the Browns for violating team rules before the Dec. 28 season finale at Baltimore.
Gordon had missed the team’s walk-through the previous day, and following the season coach Mike Pettine revealed that Gordon had been guilty of multiple violations during the season.
Gordon missed the first two games in 2013 but still led the league with 1,646 yards receiving and emerged as the one of the league’s top playmakers.
Last year, he received a one-year suspension that was reduced to 10 games after the league and Player’s Association revised its drug policies.
A second-round pick in the 2012 supplemental draft, Gordon signed a four-year contract worth $5.3 million as a rookie. He figured to cash in with a bigger contract following his monster ’13 season, but Gordon’s legal issues - he was arrested for drunken driving during his suspension last season - have clouded a bright future.
Gordon failed several drug tests while in college, but the Browns couldn’t ignore his talent and gave up a second-round pick to select him three years ago. It seemed like an ingenious move when he was shredding defensive backfields, but now Gordon’s days as a pro could be over.
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AP Sports Writer Rob Maaddi and AP freelance writer Mike Cranston contributed to this report.
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