The Cleveland Browns are 'closing that chapter' on Josh Gordon, and his fate with the team seems sealed
The Cleveland Browns announced on Thursday that wide receiver Josh Gordon would enter an in-patient rehab facility, and was not expected to return from suspension during Week 5.
In a statement the Browns released on Twitter, Gordon - who was suspended for f0ur games this season and missed the duration of last season for failing the league's anti-substance abuse policy - said he was stepping away from his pursuit to return to football to "gain full control of my life."
The news cast doubts on the Gordon's future in the NFL, and with the Browns.
On Friday, Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson told the media bluntly that Gordon's chapter in Cleveland was, indeed, over.
"I think what's best for our football team is that we move forward and move on,'' Jackson said, according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot. "He's not going to be with us and we wish him well, but we're moving forward. We're going to move on.''
"You said a key, it seems like [we are done for good]. I just think for me and for our team, 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's the seat I'm in, but at the same time, he's not here, so that's why we wished him well and want the best for him and 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.
So that's my main concern and I think what we need to do is just close that chapter right now. He's doing what he needs to do and we need to do what we need to do which is continue to move forward."
When Gordon was on the field, he proved himself to be a gifted receiver and a real offensive talent for Cleveland. In 2013, he caught nine touchdowns and collected 1,646 yards.
Hopefully we can see him on an NFL field sometime in the future.