Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon will make his appeal on a failed drug test in front of NFL officials on Aug. 1 in New York, according to NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport.
Gordon reportedly tested positive for marijuana during a random test over the winter. The news broke on May 9 during the second day of the draft.
The Browns have been waiting to learn how long they will be without their star receiver. It could be a year or longer. Gordon did not help his cause by being arrested on DUI charges in North Carolina earlier this month.
A failed drug test would be at least the third violation of the league’s substance abuse policy for Gordon. He was suspended for two games last year and docked two more game checks. Gordon said he took cough syrup with codeine, a substance banned by the NFL.
The Browns were hopeful the appeal would have been heard by now. The longer it takes to reach a resolution, the worse it might be for Gordon and the Browns.
If the suspension is indefinite it means Gordon would miss more than just the 2014 season. Gordon would have to wait a year to apply for reinstatement, which means he would not be able to beg for forgiveness from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell until some point during training camp next summer.
Despite the trouble, the Browns are committed to Gordon. They plan to get him help, although the ban would prohibit Gordon from being around the team, which might be his strongest support group.
Gordon led the NFL with 1,646 receiving yards in 2013, his second season in the league, despite playing in only 14 games.
Gordon would not be paid by the Browns during his suspension, which means his 2014 contract of $825,604 would carry over into the next season he plays.
Browns sign Jones
In other news, the Browns signed eight-year veteran linebacker Edgar Jones on July 24. Jones, 6-foot-3, 263 pounds, signed with the Ravens as an undrafted rookie in 2007. He played in Baltimore from 2007 to 2011, with Kansas City in 2012 and Dallas last year.
Jones is primarily a special teams player. He has appeared in 64 games without a start. He has 32 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Roster juggled
Offensive lineman Chris Faulk, defensive lineman Jacobbi McDaniel, offensive lineman Jeremiah Warren and running back Terrance West were added to the active roster. Each spent July 23 on the active/non-football injury list for failing their conditioning test.
Running back Jourdan Brooks and wide receiver Kenny Shaw were waived.
