CLEVELAND (AP) — Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was back at practice on Sunday — as a spectator.
Gordon visited with teammates and Hall of Famer Jim Brown a day after ending his three-week absence from training camp and missing the first two exhibition games to work on his mental health and sobriety. The former Pro Bowler appeared to be in a good mood — and in excellent shape — as he stayed to the side and worked with trainers on his conditioning.
Gordon, who has missed most of the past four seasons because of violations of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, has not been cleared to practice. He may attend meetings and practices but is prohibited from being on the field.
No timetable has been set for Gordon’s return, but coach Hue Jackson said Saturday it’s possible he could play in the Sept. 9 season opener against Pittsburgh.
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry feels the same.
“Yeah, I mean, why not?” Landry said. “He’s been training this whole time, so we expect him to be ready. I’m sure he will be, but at the end of the day, we’re just happy to have him back.”
The 27-year-old Gordon excused himself from the team just before training camp opened last month. Gordon, who has not yet spoken to the media, said in a statement that he’s humbled at being back with the Browns and “I realize in order for me to reach my full potential my primary focus must remain on my sobriety and mental well-being.”
Gordon led the league with 1,646 yards receiving in 2013, when he burst onto the scene and became one of the league’s most dynamic players.
Landry was a junior at LSU and remembers it well.
“When you have a year, especially the one that Josh had, it brings eyes to that, it brings everybody’s to it,” Landry said. “He’s an extremely great talent in this league and he’s physically gifted and it shows. And that’s what you want to see.”
Landry feels that with Gordon on the field, defenses will have a hard time focusing on any one Cleveland receiver.
“He’s a playmaker, he’s a guy that’s going to give us the ability to do a lot of things,” Landry said. “I’m excited to play with him. I’m excited to work with him, compete with him, and that’s what’s going to help us get to the level that we need to be at to win games.”
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