NFL: Reinstatement of WR Josh Gordon adds new weapon for Tom Brady

The oft-suspended wideout is back in the fold in New England.

Adam Thompson

Josh Gordon is officially back with the Patriots.

The NFL conditionally reinstated the oft-troubled New England wide receiver after indefinitely suspending him in December.

When eligible, Gordon has shown flashes of brilliance. In 2013, he led the NFL with 1,646 receiving yards, catching 87 passes with nine TDs.

But from 2014-18, Gordon missed two full seasons due to suspension and five games in another year. The Browns traded him to the Patriots last September, where he accumulated 720 yards and three TDs receiving in 10 games before his latest suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

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He wasn't completely exiled -- Gordon worked out with Patriots QB Tom Brady in June. Now he's back to participate in practice and is eligible to play in the team's final preseason game against the Giants and beyond, "subject to appropriate progress on clinical care and other arrangements."

"We are all rooting for Josh to succeed, both personally and professionally," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "Everyone shares in that hope and will continue to support him to every extent possible. But as Josh acknowledged, ultimately his success is up to him."

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Gordon, 28, adds another weapon to a Patriots offense that seeks to replace the production of TE Rob Gronkowski, joining Julian Edelman, Demaryius Thomas and promising first-round draft pick N'Keal Harry to the receiver fold.