BEREA, Ohio, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson believes Josh Gordon will be one of the team's "better players" this season.
That's why Jackson is giving him starter's reps at practice, despite Gordon's four-game suspension to start the year.
#Browns WR Josh Gordon running a route. pic.twitter.com/QQvYBWMq9c
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) August 16, 2016
"It's important for him to be out there with those guys,'' Jackson told Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot. "It's important for him to be with the ones because I think he's going to be one of our better players. We have to put him out there and see what he is capable of doing."
Gordon has undeniable talent, but the issue is whether he can produce like he did since a lengthy layoff. He has played just five games since 2013 and sat out all season in 2015.
The Baylor product, who played alongside Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III in college, had 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns on 87 receptions in 2013. He snagged 50 receptions for 805 yards and five scores in 2012. In 2014, Gordon had 24 receptions for 303 yards, but failed to score a touchdown in five games.
How'd Josh Gordon look in team drills? Hue Jackson: "Fast, long, tall, big, can catch."
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) August 16, 2016
Gordon was removed from the NFL's NFI [non-football injury] list on Aug. 15. He showed up to Browns camp out of shape, but Jackson said he has been losing weight.
#Browns WR Josh Gordon, on CLE then and now: "It's a different atmosphere than what I was used to... Guys are really close for some reason"
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 15, 2016
Gordon, 25, is a free agent in 2017.
#Browns HC Hue Jackson said "hopefully soon" for Josh Gordon's return to practice, Josh will be first to tell you he needs to lose weight.
— Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) August 8, 2016
