The NFL and the NFL players' union did not reach an agreement that would modify the sport's drug policies and potentially could result in a reduced or overturned suspension for Gordon in time to impact his suspension for Week 1, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. However, multiple sources told the Plain Dealer that an agreement between the NFL and NFL players union that would modify the sport's drug policies could be reached next week. The new drug agreement would reportedly include testing for HGH and raise the threshold for what would constitute a positive test for marijuana. Gordon's positive test for marijuana was reportedly below the new threshold, thus creating the possibility that his suspension could be reduced. It was a real long shot that Gordon would be reinstated before Week 1, but the bigger question is whether the timing of an agreement after Week 1 would impact a potential reduction of Gordon's suspension. Various theories about the timing of Gordon's positive test for marijuana and whether the agreement would cover players suspended before the start of the season leave the impact of a new agreement in doubt. Plus the new agreement may add mandatory suspensions for DUI arrests, and Gordon had a DWI in November. It's also not clear that the two sides will agree to modify prior suspensions. Despite all the hurdles, the Plain Dealer says it's possible Gordon could return to the field as early as next week - but many hurdles remain and the odds of it happening still seem fairly low.

Gordon said Friday he has no plans to sue the NFL over his one-year suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, ESPN.com reports. "The whole being in limbo thing, I'm over it," Gordon said. "I'm not waiting on the edge of my seat anymore." Gordon said he failed a drug test last winter because of secondhand marijuana smoke. Gordon's "A" sample tested at 16 nanograms per milliliter, one nanogram per milliliter above the threshold, while his "B" sample tested at 13.63 ng/ml, lower than the threshold. Both samples should theoretically be the same because they come from the same specimen. Gordon said couldn't remember the last time he smoked marijuana, but that it might have been before he entered the league in 2012. Gordon was suspended two games in 2013 for testing positive for codeine, which he said was prescribed for strep throat. He was also arrested for DUI. Gordon said Friday that he checked himself into a rehab clinic but that he doesn't consider himself an addict. "To seek out some help on decision-making," Gordon said. "Not drug use or drug abuse, but decision-making. Life skills."

The NFL and the NFL player's union are close to an agreement that would modify the sport's drug policies and potentially could result in a reduced or overturned suspension for Gordon, the Washington Post reports. "If we get a deal done that covers players in this league year, I don't like that we punish players under a deal active in the old league year," NFL players union director DeMaurice Smith told 106.7 The Fan in Washington, DC, which was relayed by NFL.com's Albert Breer. The new drug agreement would reportedly include testing for HGH and reduce the threshold for what would constitute a positive test for marijuana. Gordon's positive test for marijuana was reportedly below the new threshold of levels of the drug in a test, and thus opens the potential that his suspension could be reduced. However, there are many obstacles for Gordon's suspension to be altered including that the Washington Post report says the new drug policy would have to be agreed to before Sunday to impact previous suspensions. Plus, it's not clear that the two sides would both agree to modify prior suspensions. There's some hope here that Gordon's penalty could be reduced, but it still looks like a major long shot.

Gordon, who had his season-long NFL suspension upheld on Wednesday, is not eligible to play in the Canadian Football League, according to ESPN.com. Under CFL rules, because Gordon remains under contract with the Browns, he is not eligible to play in the league. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Plain Dealer relays via one source that Gordon's legal team is believed to be considering all of its legal options with regard to the wideout's season-long suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. However, according to the report, another source suggests that thanks to the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA, Gordon has "no shot of having the suspension overturned in court." In any case, per his suspension, Gordon is currently not permitted to practice with the Browns or attend meetings or team functions, with the report adding that upon completion of the 2014 season, the NFL will determine when the wideout is eligible to apply for reinstatement.

Gordon has been suspended for one year by the NFL for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Albert Breer report. Per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, with the league's ruling on the matter having now been upheld on appeal, Gordon will be eligible to apply for reinstatement with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell one year from now. Gordon's 2014 fantasy utility is thus dashed by the news, with the Browns' passing attack now likely to rely heavily on TE Jordan Cameron and a committee of wideouts in order to attempt to fill the significant void created by the now-confirmed absence of Gordon.

Gordon's hearing on a drunken driving charge stemming from a July arrest in North Carolina has been rescheduled for November 18th, the Akron Beacon Journal reports. Gordon was granted a waiver that allowed him to miss Tuesday's scheduled appearance in Wake County court on charges of driving while impaired and speeding. While the wideout remained in Cleveland, his attorney was able to get Gordon's case continued until mid-November. While that situation will be handled later this year, Gordon is currently still awaiting a ruling on his appeal of a pending season-long suspension for violating the league's substance abuse program.

According to an unsourced report from Dawg Pound Nation, a Browns blog, the hold up on Gordon's appeal is due to the arbitrator stalling to give the NFL time to come to a settlement with Gordon's legal team. Because Gordon's team is confident in its chances, it has reportedly refused to settle thus far, putting the NFL in a tough spot. Keep in mind the report is unsourced, so it could be off base, but the theory makes sense. Because the arbitrator must make an all-or-nothing ruling, the NFL risks getting no suspension if it doesn't settle, and even a 16-team suspension is probably not optimal from a public relations standpoint given Ray Rice's two-game suspension for a much more serious offense. Moreover, even if Gordon loses, he might have grounds to sue the NFL in the state of Ohio to stop the enforcement of the suspension. In which case, it would make sense for the NFL to want to settle, Gordon's camp not to want to settle for more than a very short, if any, suspension and for the case to drag out. Accordingly we have Gordon projected for 11.5 games, though keep in mind until we have an identifiable source with access to specific information, this is very much speculation.

Gordon didn't take the field Saturday against the Rams due to an abdominal concern, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. The injury that kept Gordon out of practice earlier in camp continues to rear its ugly head. While he awaits word on his appeal of a full season ban due to a second failed drug test, he isn't exactly pulling his weight on the field, and the blame seems to be placed upon his abdomen. In any case, he's a high-risk, high-reward selection in fantasy when healthy and active, which hasn't been the case too often since training camp opened.

Gordon (suspension) caught one pass for eight yards on five targets in Monday's preseason game against the Redskins. Gordon was unable to put up strong numbers from a statistical standpoint, but surprisingly remained in the game through the fourth quarter, even when quarterback Connor Shaw was at the helm. The Browns are preparing for him to be suspended for the better part of the first half -- if not the whole season -- so they likely want to get him as many reps as possible while they can. He appears to be over the abdominal injury that limited him in practice this past week, and should expect to see heavy reps in the team's final two preseason contests.

Gordon is in uniform prior to Monday's preseason matchup with the Redskins, Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland reports. After dealing with an abdominal concern last week, Gordon was able to partake in practice Saturday, and his presence Monday displays his level of health. No matter how he produces in concert with quarterbacks Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer, Gordon still awaits word on his potential season-long ban. Once the appeal process plays out, the extent, if any, of Gordon's availability will forecast his value.