The Cleveland Browns announced on Monday morning that star wide receiver Josh Gordon would be away from the team due to receiving additional counseling to help him stay on track in his ongoing recovery from alcohol and substance abuse.
Gordon has been able to maintain positive progress in staying away from those things in his life, which has been brought to the forefront with his the decision to get more guidance. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, this came about due to him wanting to deal with his mental health and anxiety as that usually sees him lean on alcohol or marijuana when he is anxious. (Pat McManamon of ESPN)
League sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Gordon is seeking additional counseling before camp opens to deal with his mental health and anxiety. The wide receiver has said that he typically used alcohol or marijuana when he was anxious, something he cannot do without another violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.
There weren't any slip-ups from Gordon but rather that he didn't feel that he was in the best state of mind to deal with those emotions on his own. The decision to ask for additional help shouldn't be viewed in a negative light as he was able to prevent himself from going down that route by getting the guidance he needs to stay on the right track.
The Browns do not have a timetable for Gordon's return, but his statement on Monday clarified that he plans on being back this upcoming season. Cleveland is counting on him to be a significant piece of the puzzle in the passing game to help the franchise take a significant step forward in 2018.
In the meantime, he is simply taking care of a more critical matter in addressing his mental health before resuming his NFL career.
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