Gordon Suspended for Two Games, Revis Expected to Return for Week 1

Forget about the Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson’s injured calf, the team also has problems in its wide receiver stable.

Josh Gordon

Second-year receiver Josh Gordon was suspended by the NFL for two games without pay and fined two game checks on Friday from violating the league’s substance abuse policy. This absence falls as the Browns will play the Miami Dolphins (Week 1) and the Baltimore Ravens (Week 2).

Gordon will be allowed to practice with the team and participate in preseason games.

He enters the season with high expectations after catching 50 passes in his 2012 rookie season. Gordon was the team’s receiving leader with 805 yards and five touchdowns.

The player said the following regarding the suspension via ProFootballTalk.com:

“In February, I was diagnosed with strep throat for which a doctor prescribed antibiotics and cough medicine. Apparently, the medicine I took contained codeine, which is prohibited by the NFL policy. The policy terms are strict about unintentional ingestion, but the NFL has not imposed the maximum punishment in light of the facts of my case. Therefore, I have chosen to be immediately accountable for the situation. I sincerely apologize for the impact on my team, coaches, and Browns fans. I look forward to working hard in training camp and pre-season, and contributing immediately when I return in week three.”

For Gordon getting in trouble with drugs, it isn’t anything new as he has previously faced problems that has affected his football career. While at Baylor, he was dismissed by the team after two suspensions from marijuana use. He then transferred to Utah, but after not passing a drug test there, he didn’t see any playing time.

Gordon was selected by the Browns last year in the supplemental draft’s second round thanks to his renowned problems.

On Friday, Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski said via ESPN.com of the news, “Obviously, we are all disappointed in this news. In our short time with Josh, he has done everything that we’ve asked him to do and he has exhibited substantial improvement. We believe that he will continue to work diligently through training camp and the preseason. I am confident that others will step up in his absence.”

Missing a key player at the start of the season due to a suspension is becoming business as usual for the Browns.

Just last year, cornerback Joe Haden had a four-game suspension after he violated the NFL’s policy for performance-enhancing substances. Haden later said he took the stimulant Adderall.

Looking at the 2014 Super Bowl, the Browns are +7500 to win it.

Bucs GM: Revis Expected Back for Week 1

Darrelle Revis

While Revis Island has landed in the South with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the cornerback is yet to take the practice field with his new team thanks to his ongoing recovery from knee surgery.

The Bucs don’t appear too concerned about this and on Friday, general manager Mark Dominik expressed optimism that the veteran will be ready for Week 1. This comes after Revis said earlier this week that he’ll be good to go in the same time frame.

Dominik said via NFL.com, “Totally confident. He’s in great shape right now, he’s running full speed, he’s cutting, he’s doing all the things we’d want him to do from a training standpoint, a rehabilitation standpoint.

“We’re going to keep him at our pace, but the whole point is that he’ll walk out to the first day of training camp, he’ll have the pads on and he’ll be ready hopefully for the Jets (in) Week 1. We’re expecting that.”

Revis has been on the sidelines during the recent OTAs, riding a stationary bike but has said his knee is coming along, reported ESPN.

The Bucs had a 7-9 2012 season under new coach Greg Schiano. Looking ahead to 2013, they’re at 7 1/2 (-130 o, even u) for regular season wins.