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The Cleveland Browns appear to be done with suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon, who put his football career on hold Thursday to enter an in-patient rehabilitation facility. Head coach Hue Jackson told reporters Friday that Gordon is out of chances in Cleveland.
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"What's best for our football team is that we move forward and move on," Jackson said. "He's not going to be with us and we wish him well, but we're moving forward. We're going to move on."
Gordon, who was suspended for the first four games in 2016, was scheduled to rejoin practice on Monday and play Oct. 9 against the New England Patriots in his first game since 2014, but instead he is out indefinitely.
"Obviously Josh is not here and doing what he thinks he needs to for his life which we support 100 percent and after today, today is really the last Josh Gordon comment I want to make about that," Jackson said.
On Thursday, the Browns issued a statement in support of Gordon, who said in his statement: "After careful thought and deep consideration I've decided that I need to step away from pursuing my return to the Browns and my football career to enter an in-patient rehabilitation facility. This is the right decision for me and one that I hope will enable me to gain full control of my life and continue on a path to reach my full potential as a person. I appreciate the support of the NFL, NFLPA, the Browns, my teammates, my agent and the community through this extremely challenging process."
The NFL has suspended Gordon four times for violating its substance abuse policy. He was suspended for two games in 2013, 10 games in 2014, all 16 games in 2015 season and the first four games this year. He was conditionally reinstated by the NFL in July.
"For me and for our team, for everybody involved, my goal is to make sure that we take care of the players that are here and the players that are practicing and working," Jackson told reporters Friday. "I care about everybody. That's the seat I'm in, but at the same time, he's not here, so that's why we wished him well and want the best for him.
"The most important thing I can do is make sure that our football (players) that are here, the guys that are practicing the guys that are going to play, the guys that are in the meeting room and working hard to get ready for a game is that our focus and our attention to detail is right.
"So that's my main concern and I think what we need to do is just close that chapter right now. He's doing what he needs to do and we need to do what we need to do which is continue to move forward."
According to Cleveland.com, Jackson then shut the door on the Gordon discussion after the third question.
"I'm not going to answer any more Josh Gordon comments or questions," Jackson said. "I'm done with it. I'm going to coach our team that's here and that's what I want to do. So no more questions about Josh Gordon."
An ESPN source acknowledged that the Browns ultimately plan to cut ties with Gordon, but said Jackson's comment was not meant to reflect the team's immediate plans. According to the source, Jackson was trying to steer conversation at his news conference away from Gordon and toward the Browns' game on Sunday at the Washington Redskins.
