Wide receiver Josh Gordon. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

It is hard to expect much from Josh Gordon after all the trouble he has had in his once-promising NFL career, but apparently he is off to a solid start with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Gordon was so impressive in his first week of practice with the Chiefs that he could be promoted to the active roster next week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. The 30-year-old is reportedly in outstanding shape despite not playing in a game since 2019.

Rapoport notes that Gordon has picked up Kansas City’s offense fairly quickly. Brad Childress, who worked under Andy Reid with the Chiefs from 2013-17, was the offensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns in 2012 when Gordon was there. Because of that, there are aspects of the Chiefs’ offense that are already familiar to Gordon.

One source told Rapoport that Gordon has looked like a true No. 1 receiver in his limited practice reps.

There’s no question Gordon is physically gifted. He was one of the best receivers in the NFL earlier in his career. The question, of course, is whether he can avoid setbacks in his ongoing battle with substance abuse. To this point, he has not shown that he can do that.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Former Bruins winger dead at 75
Brewers lose team-leading home run hitter to injured list
Super Bowl-winning safety plans to retire after 2024 season
Canucks' Nikita Zadorov takes a shot at NHL over teammate's suspension
Sports radio star Doug Gottlieb to coach college hoops while staying on the air
NFL scores big win in legal battle with ex-Raiders head coach
Astros 3B breaks out of slump in contract year
Cardinals sign second-round CB
Micah Parsons makes history with new Bleacher Report deal
Celtics assistant named candidate for Lakers HC job
Rudy Gobert fined $75,000 for gesture in Game 4
Former Canadiens GM on Blue Jackets' radar
Cubs designate lefty reliever for assignment
Two-time Super Bowl champ signs with AFC contender
Stars center matches Gretzky feat as Dallas pushes Avalanche to brink
Gritty young Thunder take down veteran Mavericks in Game 4
Cubs acquiring veteran reliever from Mariners
Top-five NBA Draft prospect suffers scary non-contact injury
Hurricanes stay alive with third-period outburst vs. Rangers
Jaylen Brown's big three-pointer gives Celtics 3-1 lead over Cavs

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.