Seahawks' Gordon has setback in substance abuse battle

Off-the-field issues continue to derail Josh Gordon's career. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Seahawks WR Josh Gordon has setback in substance abuse battle

By Erin Walsh | Last updated Dec 23, 2020 12:05 PM ET

Josh Gordon was supposed to return to the Seattle Seahawks lineup this season. However, the troubled wide receiver is dealing with more problems off the football field.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday that Gordon had a setback in his long battle with substance abuse and will not be able to practice or play indefinitely. Seattle was going to activate him on Monday, but was informed by the NFL that he had not complied with the terms of his reinstatement.

Just one day after Gordon returned to Seattle’s active roster, he's back where he was before: Allowed to be with the team, but not practice or play. The #Seahawks had cleared a roster spot to activate him Monday. All systems were go, until the new issue arose.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 23, 2020

Gordon has battled substance-abuse demons since the Cleveland Browns drafted him in 2012. He missed the entire 2015 and 2016 seasons after violating the league's substance-abuse policy. More recently, the NFL suspended him indefinitely last December for violating policies on performance-enhancing substances and substances of abuse. It marked his sixth suspension since 2013.

The 29-year-old has appeared in just 63 games since being drafted, reeling in 247 receptions for 4,252 yards and 20 touchdowns. If he didn't struggle with substance abuse, he'd likely be one of the better receivers in the NFL.

Erin Walsh

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on Twitter @ewalsh90

More must-reads: