Josh Gordon's suspension to be reduced to 10 games, per reports
According to multiple reports — like this one from ESPN's Adam Schefter, and this one from Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo — Josh Gordon will have his suspension reduced upon approval of revisions to the league's drug policies.
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Early reports suggested eight games, but, on Friday afternoon, the Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot reported the suspension would be 10 games:
Breaking: Under terms of the new policy, #Browns Josh Gordon will be suspended for 10 games, a league source tells http://t.co/9CJgNAeo7v
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 12, 2014
So that's where we're at. If you're a Gordon owner, Friday's news is ... well, it's OK but not great.
In fact, it's sort of annoying — 10 weeks is a long time to carry an inactive player on your fantasy bench. But still, if anyone is worth the inconvenience it's a 1,600-yard receiver with no injury concerns.
If Cabot's latest report is accurate (and this thing has been all over the map), then we'll likely see Gordon in action in Week 12 at Atlanta. (Unless his DWI hearing leads to separate discipline. Again, this story is all over the place.) The Browns' second-half schedule looks like this: at Cin (Week 10), vs. Hou, at Atl, at Buf, vs. Ind, vs. Cin, at Car, at Bal. We can't say with any certainty which QB will be directing Cleveland's offense in November, but Gordon obviously thrived with sketchy passers last season. He's capable of fantasy goodness with anyone at quarterback.
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Gordon is still available in 32 percent of Yahoo leagues, so a few of you can still make the add. Again, it sounds like last year's leading receiver will be available for the most important weeks of your fantasy season (but not before). That's no small thing. He needs to be owned in most standard-size formats.
This news would seem to be a setback for the Sarchione Auto Group, where the other sales associates are going to have to step up their games. It's a next-man-up business, you guys.
(Also worth noting: Denver Broncos receiver Wes Welker, currently serving a four-game suspension, could be reinstated as soon as the new policy receives approval. There's a chance he'll see the field this week against the Chiefs.)
