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Three years away from football is supposed to leave you with some rust to shake off, but apparently that isn’t the case for Josh Gordon. In the Cleveland Browns wide receiver’s first game back from a lengthy suspension, he’s found plenty of success.
It included a 28-yard reception down the left sideline over Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward, who has been one of the best players at his position during the 2017 season.
Gordon helped set up a touchdown before halftime that gave the Browns a brief 7-6 lead in Los Angeles. Late in the game he broke free for 39 yards.
39-yard gain for @JOSH_GORDONXII! #Browns pic.twitter.com/VlaZjIxN05
— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2017
He finished with four receptions for 85 yards, something only one other receiver had done against the Chargers this year:
The only wide receiver with more than 85 receiving yards against the Chargers this year was Odell Beckham. Josh Gordon hit that today after not playing football for three years.
— JJ Zachariason (@LateRoundQB) December 4, 2017
It ultimately won’t matter much in 2017 if Gordon gives the Browns offense a boost — the team is already well out of contention — but it’s a great help for DeShone Kizer, who desperately needs it, and a good sign for the future of the franchise if Gordon can return to form.