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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has failed another substance abuse test and is subject to a one-year suspension from the NFL, league sources have told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Pro Football Talk reports that Gordon tested positive for alcohol.
Gordon was prohibited from consuming alcohol under the league's substance abuse program, which he entered after pleading guilty to a DUI charge in September of 2014. NFL regulations mandate that such a violation results in a one-year ban from team activities, including workouts and games.
The star wideout now faces his second major ban in as many years. He was originally suspended for the entirety of 2014 after failing a drug test before the season, but had it reduced to 10 games after the NFL reworked its substance abuse policy. He was then suspended by the Browns for the final regular season game for not showing up to a team walkthrough.
There was also a failed drug test in 2013, which led to a two-game suspension.
Given his repeated violations, Gordon's future in Cleveland -- and the NFL in general -- is uncertain. Last month, Browns head coach Mike Pettine suggested that Gordon was already on thin ice following his team rules infraction.
"It's clearly a disappointing end to the year for Josh Gordon," said Pettine. "At some point you get tired of using the word potential ... This offseason for Gordon puts him squarely at a crossroads with us. We want him here, but want him accountable.
"We don't have a lot of rules, but rules that we have are pretty simple. When players break them, there will be consequences."
The Browns released a statement Sunday evening, via Schefter:
"Clearly we are very disappointed to hear the latest report regarding Josh. At this point, due to the confidential nature of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, we have not been made aware by the league of a failed test. We are in the process of gathering more information and will provide further comment at the appropriate time."
Gordon was dismissed from Baylor in 2011 after he tested positive for marijuana. Cleveland selected him in the second round of the supplemental draft in 2012.