NFL
Browns Moving on From Josh Gordon
After years of off-field drama, the Cleveland Browns are cutting ties with Josh Gordon. Gordon has only played 37 games over the past 6 seasons for the Browns. Josh has dealt with multiple year long suspensions, rehab stints, and drug related issues. The final straw for Gordon was apparently injuring himself in a promotional shoot Friday. He left practice Friday healthy and showed up to the facility Saturday morning with an injured hamstring. His injury designation caused him to be ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Saints.
Josh Gordon hurt his hamstring at a promotional shoot, not at practice, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2018
The Cleveland Browns appeared to be fed up with Gordon’s commitment level to the team. It was being reported that Cleveland was going to cut wide receiver Josh Gordon. However it appears as of now the more likely scenario is Gordon will be traded by Monday. It is hard to imagine what the Browns could get for a player with as much baggage as Gordon. However at this point any return is better than losing one of your most talented players.
Multiple league sources believe the Browns will trade WR Josh Gordon before they release him by the Monday date they announced they would let him go.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2018
How does this Affect Cleveland?
By cutting ties with Gordon, the Browns have essentially limited their depth chart to one receiver with valuable experience. Jarvis Landry will now become the only option as a number one for this team, which may limit the Browns’ passing game. Gordon’s biggest threat was his deep-ball ability, which they will now lean on Rashard Higgins for. Although nowhere near as talented as Gordon, Higgins has shown the ability to win the 50/50 balls and make long completions. Although getting rid of Gordon is the right thing to do for the Browns locker room, their on-field offense is taking a devastating blow they may not be able to handle.
Fantasy Implications
At this point the only offensive players that should warrant a start in fantasy would be Jarvis Landry, Carlos Hyde and David Njoku. Rashard Higgins hasn’t shown enough to be a starter but definitely a player you might want to stash for the upcoming weeks, as he will get more targets here shortly. Although Tyrod Taylor put up decent numbers in Week 1, getting 77 rushing yards and a rushing TD won’t happen. I would advise staying away, as he should have a steady drop off losing a talent like Gordon.
Photo Credit: Erik Drost via Flickr
