Watch CBS News

Browns WR Josh Gordon Suspended For 2014 Season

CLEVELAND (AP) — Browns star wide receiver Josh Gordon has been suspended by the NFL one year for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Gordon's suspension is effective immediately and he will miss the entire 2014 season. He will have to apply for reinstatement following the season.

Gordon had appealed his yearlong suspension and met with a league arbitrator in New York on Aug. 4. Arbitrator Harold Henderson upheld the suspension.

The Browns have been waiting four months for a resolution on Gordon's case. The 23-year-old led the league with 1,646 yards receiving last season despite being suspended the first two games for a failed drug test. He became the first player in league history to record consecutive 200-yard games.

Gordon's loss is a crippling blow to Cleveland's offense, depriving the Browns of their best big-play threat. He averaged 18.9 yards per catch in 2013.

Copyright 2014 by The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.