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CLEVELAND BROWNS
Cleveland Browns

Browns suspend Josh Gordon, ending his 2014 season

Lindsay H. Jones
USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Josh Gordon started the season suspended by the NFL. He'll end it suspended by the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns announced Saturday that Gordon will not play in the season finale against the Baltimore Ravens as punishment for a violation of team rules.

It's a disappointing end to what has been a lost season for Gordon, the wildly talented but troubled wide receiver.

Gordon, who led the NFL in receiving yards in 2013, receiving a year-long ban from the NFL in August as punishment for repeated violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy. When the league approved a new drug policy in September, Gordon's suspension was reduced to 10 games, but he failed to make an impact for the Browns on the field when he returned in mid-November.

His season ends with 24 catches in five games, 303 receiving yards and no touchdowns. That Gordon broke team rules in the final week of the season should give the Browns reason to doubt the commitment the team showed to him this season, as they backed him while he appealed his suspension and inserted him back into the starting lineup when he returned.

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Gordon remains under contract with the Browns next season, and is due a base salary of $1.068 million. Though he's proven in the past that he can be a special player, after the latest incident, the Browns should seriously consider if he's worth the trouble.

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