Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was officially suspended on Wednesday for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy with a third failed drug test. Now, Gordon is thinking about taking his talents to Canada while he is banned from the NFL, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
Gordon would have to get permission from the Browns to play in the Canadian Football League, something that might be difficult. Already, it appears Cleveland is not hip to the idea, as Alex Marvez of FOX Sports is reporting that the team isn't planning to grant Gordon permission to play in the CFL. Additionally, Pat McManamon reports a Browns official has already stated Gordon can't go to the CFL, per his contract with Cleveland.
Mortensen confirmed this when a CFL official told him that Gordon will not be allowed to play because of his contract with the Browns:
CFL official says league rules prohibit a suspended player like Josh Gordon who is under contract from playing in CFL. @ESPNNFL
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) August 28, 2014
Last year, Gordon led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,646 in his second season out of Baylor University. Taken in the second round of the 2012 Supplemental Draft, Gordon made an impact following his initial two-game suspension for a failed drug test. In his rookie season, Gordon caught 50 passes for 805 yards and five touchdowns before upping his totals to 87 receptions and nine touchdowns last season.
Gordon's suspension will last for a calendar year, meaning Gordon will miss all of training camp in 2015 along with all of the preseason games, though he may be eligible for the last preseason contest depending on the date.