Browns Executive Vice President Sashi Brown suggested Thursday that "by all signs, (Gordon) is on the path to come back and be reinstated" from his NFL-imposed suspension, NFL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The talented wideout has officially applied for reinstatement, though the report suggests that the Browns do not expect to have a final decision regarding Gordon's playing status before free agency begins next month. Per the Cleveland Plain Dealer, in the event that Gordon is reinstated, which seems a likely outcome at this stage, the team is inclined to "welcome him back if he's doing the right things." Gordon was most recently suspended for the entire 2015 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy and as ESPN.com notes, in the event that the wideout slips up again, he would face an indefinite suspension by the league.

Gordon -- who was suspended by the NFL for a minimum of a year under the league's substance-abuse policy back on Feb. 3, 2015, -- has applied for reinstatement, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

EDGE Analysis

Meanwhile, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has 60 days in which to make a determination on Gordon's request for reinstatement. In the event that Gordon is reinstated within that time-frame, the talented young wideout would be able to participate in the Browns' offseason program, which opens up in April. Per the report, Gordon "has been doing well" in his time away from the team and is confident that he will be reinstated. In the event that he is, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello notes that Gordon would still "be in Stage 3 of the NFL's substance abuse program and will be subject to indefinite banishment again -- a minimum of a year -- with another positive test." In any case, there should be some degree of clarity with regard to the 24-year-old's prospects of seeing NFL action in 2016 before the Browns next take the field, with Gordon's status of course of import to fantasy owners, given the production and upside that he offers when he is able to play.

Gordon, who is eligible to apply for reinstatement Feb. 3, is doing "outstanding" according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

EDGE Analysis

Gordon has missed 27 games between 2014-15, including the entire 2015 season, due to various suspensions. He seems to be progressing well during his offseason workouts, however, and could be ready to contribute again in 2016. This is certainly noteworthy for dynasty owners, as Gordon, at 25 years old, could still be a valuable fantasy asset if he's able to get his act together. The Browns have him under contract through the 2016 season.

Gordon was officially handed a one-year suspension from the NFL on Tuesday for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. Gordon missed 11 total games due to suspension in 2014, and it's now essentially certain he will be out for the next 16. As part of his league substance abuse program requirements, Gordon is not allowed to consume alcoholic beverages, and it turns out a positive test for alcohol just after the conclusion of the regular season was what triggered the violation. The Browns haven't yet released him, but Gordon won't be eligible for reinstatement until the beginning of the 2016 season.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Gordon could be suspended for a year for failing a test for alcohol. We'll await further details, but if the report of a potential suspension -- which is echoed by ESPN's Adam Schefter -- is confirmed, this latest news will further cloud the future of the Browns' talented wideout. Gordon -- who caught 24 passes for 303 yards in five games this past season -- served a 10-game suspension to start the 2014 campaign and was subsequently suspended by the Browns in Week 17 for a violation of team rules.

Gordon -- who did not play in Week 17 due to suspension -- finished the 2014 season with 24 catches on 47 targets for 303 yards and zero touchdowns. Gordon went into 2014 facing a season-long ban for a repeat violation of the league's substance abuse policy, but saw that term reduced to 10 games after the NFL modified its drug policy back in September. The 2013 receiving yards leader made his long-anticipated debut in Week 12, hauling in eight passes on 16 targets for 120 total yards. That was the peak for Gordon, however, who was never able to make a significant impact after that, leading to a disappointing outcome for fantasy owners who had been hoping he would save their season. Gordon's situation worsened when he missed a team walkthrough in advance of the regular season finale, and ended up missing his 11th game of the year due to suspension. The Browns have Gordon under contract through the 2015 season, but their patience with his antics has to be wearing thin at this point. He's one of the most talented wideouts in the league, but potentially needs to hear a new message in order to get his career back on track.

Gordon has been suspended for Sunday's season finale due to a violation of team rules. The embattled receiver apparently missed Saturday's walk-through, which may have led to the decision. With Gordon inactive, the Browns added receiver Phil Bates to the roster in his place. Gordon will end the season having played in only five games, amassing 303 yards on 24 catches (47 targets).

Gordon caught four passes on seven targets for 45 yards in Sunday's loss to the Panthers. Gordon was the most frequently targeted Cleveland receiver, but once again, it didn't amount to much in terms of fantasy production. The inconsistent quarterback play has been one of Gordon's biggest obstacles since returning Week 12, but he does have a friendly matchup ahead on the road in Baltimore, as the Ravens had allowed 260 passing yards per game entering Sunday's action. Gordon may not know who will be throwing him the ball until later in the week, as Brian Hoyer had to enter Sunday's game after Johnny Manziel went down with a hamstring injury, and the situation is a bit cloudy at the moment.

Gordon caught three passes on four targets for 48 yards in Sunday's loss to the Bengals. Gordon finished tied with Andrew Hawkins for the team lead in targets, but the former was the only Browns player to collect more than 10 receiving yards on the afternoon. He's clearly still the top option in the passing game, even with rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel at the helm, but this may not necessarily translate to fantasy production over the final two games of the season. Gordon and the Browns will head to Carolina next week to face a pass defense that is allowing 241.5 passing yards per game.

Gordon had two catches on seven targets for 15 yards in Sunday's loss to the Colts. Gordon was tied with Andrew Hawkins for the team lead in targets, but was unable to make an impact from a fantasy standpoint. He even let a Brian Hoyer deep ball fall through his hands on the Browns' final drive of the game, which would have put his team in field goal range. With Vontae Davis (concussIon) out for the contest, many thought that Gordon would be poised for a big game, but this clearly did not come to fruition. The wideout will look to bounce back in Week 15 against the Bengals, the team that has allowed the lowest number of passing touchdowns in the league (11) entering Sunday's action.