Browns will cut ties with Josh Gordon after injuring hamstrings, reportedly late Saturday

The Browns announced on Saturday that they will separate from receiver Josh Gordon after the second week match against the Saints.

General Manager John Dorsey issued a statement on the move:

"Over the last six years, the Browns have fully supported and invested in Josh, both personally and professionally, and they wanted the best for him.Unfortunately, we have reached a point where we think it's best to separate us. " Josh well. "

Gordon played 78% of the team's offensive shots in the first week of the game against the Steelers, resulting in an unexpected departure that coach Hue Jackson called a mistake because of poor communication with the team. his offensive coordinator. Jackson had already said that Gordon would start the game on the bench because he wanted to give the chance to the other receivers who had been with the team. Gordon caught one pass on three targets, but it was a 17-yard touchdown that tied the game with less than two minutes of regulation.

The 27-year-old receiver has had a tumultuous career in the NFL filled with ups and downs. He dominated the league with 1,646 yards on 87 receptions in 2013, his second year as a pro, but only played 10 games over the next four seasons, while serving multiple suspensions resulting from violations of NFL policy. Gordon left the team this preseason for follow advice and treatment as part of his recovery.

Although there is a lot of mystery surrounding this sudden move, Jason La Canfora, an insider of CBS Sports, reports that the Browns have not made the decision to leave Gordon because of a apparent problem that would prevent the receiver from joining another NFL team:

At the moment, there does not seem to be any problem off-screen to prevent another team from signing Josh Gordon. The Browns reached a point where they could no longer trust the struggling WRs.

– Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) September 15, 2018

Gordon was ruled out for the Saints game Saturday because of a hamstring injury, while no mention was made of the injury problem during the week. A report was published by NFL.com shortly after the Browns announced that the way he had been hamstring injured after being healthy Friday had played a role in the decision to release the receiver.

On Josh Gordon: He was late today at the facility, the source said. In addition, he was well in training on Friday, then injured his hamstrings. The question of how is part of the reason why they released it. I understand that this is a global trust problem for a player on the ice.

– Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 15, 2018

Gordon would have been "not himself" after showing up on the team Saturday, by Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com:

updated: #Browns Gordon was late for installation on Saturday morning and was "not himself". The red flag for possible substance use was the concern of some in the organization, according to sources at clevelanddotcom https://t.co/KMdBeX9JVO

– Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 15, 2018

Many are wondering where Gordon will end up. While the release is scheduled for Monday, it is possible that another organization is working out a deal to prevent Gordon from becoming a free agent:

The teams are already calling the Browns, as league sources believe they are much more likely to trade Josh Gordon than to release him.

Gordon is an acquired veterinarian and is not subject to waiver. So, if he is cut off, he is a free agent and can sign wherever he wants, for what he wants.

A lot at stake

– Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2018

On the side of the Browns, the team could review the signature of Dez Bryant after inviting the former Cowboy to participate in the pre-season. With Gordon no longer on the team, the top three receivers of the Browns are Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins and rookie Antonio Callaway in the fourth round.