Ten games into the NFL season, the Browns will finally get arguably their best player back, as the team has activated Josh Gordon in time for this weekend’s matchup against the Falcons, reports Josina Anderson of ESPN (via Twitter).
The team has waived linebacker Keith Pough in order to make room for Gordon.
The Browns may be getting their All-Pro wide receiver at the perfect time. The team jumped out to a 6-4 start in their first ten games, putting them a half game out of the lead in the AFC North, which has turned out to be one of the most competitive divisions in football. With the Bengals and Steelers at a virtual tie for the division lead at 6-3-1 and 7-4, the Browns are lurking close behind in a tie with the Ravens.
The Browns have two divisional games left, and will have an opportunity to position themselves well in terms of tiebreakers by winning both games. Aside from the AFC North games, they have a reasonably easy slate left, with the Falcons, Panthers, Bills, and Colts left on the schedule.
Gordon will certainly have a chance to make an impact the rest of the season. Last season, despite missing the first two games due to suspension, he was able to rack up a league leading 1,646 receiving yards. While it is difficult to predict that Gordon will return in midseason form right away, his presence on the field will only give Brian Hoyer more weaponry as the team makes their improbable run to the playoffs.