Head coach Hue Jackson said Josh Gordon is getting closer to being ready to play, but he will not play in Thursday's final preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
Gordon was cleared by the NFL on Saturday to practice and play games. His career was derailed for nearly three years due to drug and alcohol addictions.
"He has done a little bit more every day. He is getting closer, much closer. That is exciting," Jackson said on Monday. "He is catching, getting in there with the offense a little bit and making sure that he is on the same page with the guys. Pretty soon, we will progress through running routes and have him practice."
Jackson said Gordon will not be a starter once regular season games begin, but the coach expects Gordon to contribute to the team when the Browns get ready to play Pittsburgh in the season opener on Sept. 9, assuming he is ready to go.
Gordon spoke Monday after practice for the first time since he came back and said he’s focused on the upcoming season and helping the Browns win. He has been limited by a hamstring issue since returning, but he’s confident he’ll be ready for the season opener.
Gordon is grateful for the support he’s received from the Browns organization and his teammates. He said the only way to win back the trust of the Browns and coach Hue Jackson is to “walk it out and live out those actions on a daily basis. I can’t make anybody feel any type of way about me.”
