ESPN’s Outside The Lines is reporting Josh Gordon, the league’s leading receiver in 2013-14, faces another suspension for a failed drug test that could keep him sidelined all of next season.
According to ESPN, the Cleveland Browns star tested positive for marijuana in a test that was administered sometime during the winter after starting the season under a two-game ban for an earlier violation of the league’s drug policy.
“That’s something you’re going to have to talk to Drew Rosenhaus about,” Gordon told ESPN when contacted by phone late Friday. “I really don’t know anything about it.” When asked if he would dispute the findings of the test, Gordon replied “I’m going to have to have to find out about that later. You need to call Drew.”
Gordon led the Browns with 87 receptions and had nine touchdowns last season, good for a league-leading 1,646 receiving yards overall. Along the way, the 23-year-old, third-year veteran became the first player in league history to record back-to-back games of more than 200 receiving yards.
While at Baylor, Gordon also had his share of marijuana-related issues, eventually resulting in him being dismissed from the team after several failed drug tests. Eventually, he transferred to Utah, but never suited up for the Utes after failing yet another drug test. In the past, Gordon has claimed his suspension at the start of last season was caused by his use of a cough syrup containing codeine, a league-wide banned substance.
With the Browns’ having selected quarterback Johnny Manziel in the first round of this week’s NFL draft, Gordon was expected to be among the former Heisman Trophy winners favorite targets. Behind the scenes, ESPN reports Gordon even pushed for Manziel’s selection, at one point even telling reporters “I saw something a lot deeper than just his talent that could take us to the next level.”
