The tumultuous browns of Josh Gordon ends abruptly

The Cleveland Browns have been patient with receiver Josh Gordon for as long as possible, and have apparently been rewarded with his promising comeback. But this was canceled early in the 2018 season and Gordon was surprisingly released one day before week 2.

Gordon was ruled out of the team's second game with a hamstring injury, and Brown's chief executive, John Dorsey, announced his release on Saturday.

This decision raises questions about the circumstances of his release and why the Browns abandoned Gordon.

Why was Gordon released?

Gordon, 27, missed the first 10 games of the 2014 season for breaking the NFL's drug policy and last game of the year for breaking the Browns rules. He missed all of the following season for another drug policy violation.

The receiver was expected to be reinstated by the NFL and make his season debut at week 5 of the 2016 season, but announced his intention to enter an inpatient rehabilitation center.

"We wish him the best of luck," said Browns head coach Hue Jackson to the press. "We must close this chapter now, we continue."

Gordon never returned in 2016, but his recovery and eventual return during the 2017 season was an inspiring and uplifting story of redemption. He has appeared in five games and has 18 assists for 335 yards and one touchdown.

The receiver took off most of August to cope with his sobriety, but returned in time for Week 1 and started against the Steelers. He caught one pass for 17 yards.

Although his difficulties with drug addiction were the reason for his previous struggles, it does not seem to be the reason for his release.

Is this the end of the road for Gordon?

If the circumstances of Gordon's release have nothing to do with another failed test, this will certainly not be the case.

As a rookie, Gordon has amassed 50 receptions for 805 yards with five touchdowns and has increased those scores to 87 catches, 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns in 2013. His main reception yards are even more impressive as he was acting from a 4-12. quarter of the team with Jason Campbell, Brandon Weeden and Brian Hoyer.

At its best, he is one of the most dangerous and explosive receivers in the NFL and there's a reason Cleveland gave him as many chances as he did. One of the reports is that Gordon did not report to the team in time when he suffered a hamstring injury that seemed to surprise the team.

If that is the reason for his release, there will likely be a long list of teams ready to roll the dice on Gordon. Because of the long duration of his career, Gordon would have been subject to the waiver.

The surrender command is the previous command until week 3, so the Giants, Colts, Texans, Broncos and Jets, in that order, will have the first chance to claim Gordon.

The Browns are waiting for Gordon to reach his potential, but the receiver's story is probably not over.