The Cleveland Browns drafted Johnny Manziel on Thursday, but one Browns player may be on his way out. Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon could be suspended for the season for failing a drug test.
According to ESPN’s Outside the Lines, Gordon tested positive for marijuana. During the winter he got a letter from the league’s physician saying that he had failed. In April he got a letter that said that he faced a 16-game suspension, but he could appeal the suspension. Gordon’s agent Drew Rosenhaus has said that the allegations aren’t true.
"Despite everything I've been through, despite being a kid with a spotty background, the Cleveland Browns stuck their neck out and risked taking me and put their faith and belief in me, and I won't let them down," Gordon told Yahoo Sports on Thursday. "I'm grateful, and I know I can't go back to being the person I used to be."
Gordon is a star on the Browns offense. However this isn’t the first time that he has failed a drug test. He was suspended without pay for the first two games last year for failing a drug test. Despite missing two games he had 87 catches and nine touchdowns, and led the league in receiving yards with 1,646 yards last year, according to the Associated Press. Gordon was expected to be the top target of quarterback Brian Hoyer or Manziel.
The Browns could be in trouble at the wide receiver position if Gordon is suspended. Greg Little and Nate Burleson are the only Browns receivers who have experience. Burleson fractured his left arm in minicamp recently. He will miss the rest of the offseason program, but will be ready for training camp.