Josh Gordon's petition for reinstatement denied
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon's petition for reinstatement was denied.
Gordon can reportedly apply for reinstatement later in the year on Aug. 1, per the NFL Network's Albert Breer.
"His petition was denied," NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy confirmed in an email to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. "He may re-apply later in the year."
The 24-year-old reportedly failed an NFL-administered drug test in March, where his sample tested for less than 35 nanograms of marijuana, an amount by itself that wouldn't constitute a failed test, according to FOX Sports' Mike Garafolo. However, Gordon's sample was also diluted, which constitutes a failed test for a player in Stage Two or Three of the league's substance abuse policy; Gordon is in Stage Three.
It was reported that the NFL is waiting until the league is comfortable that Gordon can pass a drug test within a 60-90 day period, before potentially reinstating him.
Gordon's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is lobbying for an investigation into leaked information about the wide receiver, believing that there was a confidentiality breach via the provisions of the league's substance abuse policy.
The mercurial wide receiver missed the duration of the 2015 season due to testing positive for alcohol, while being enrolled in the league's substance abuse program for a prior DWI arrest.
Gordon last completed a full season in 2013, when he caught 87 passes for an NFL-best 1,646 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games.