The Patriots are releasing Josh Gordon from injured reserve, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Patriots feel that Gordon will not be healthy enough to play this season, but the wide receiver believes otherwise, so this move will give him the opportunity to hook on elsewhere. 
In Gordon’s estimation, he’ll be good to go sometime next week, or the week after. Because the move comes after Oct. 29, Gordon will be subject to the waiver wire. The league’s 31 other teams will have a crack at Gordon, and his contract, before he’s potentially able to hit the open market. Waiver priority, meanwhile, is determined by 2019 records.
By not releasing Gordon now, the Patriots may be banking on the talented pass catcher being claimed by a struggling team rather than one the defending Super Bowl champions will be competing with for this year’s title. Waiver priority is now sorted by teams’ 2019 records. The 0-8 Bengals will get the first shot at Flash, followed by the 0-7 Dolphins, and so on.
The former Browns All-Pro is dealing with two knee contusions, but his off-the-field trouble represents his biggest red flag for teams. On the other hand – he’s supremely talented and his contract has just $2MM salary attached.
So far this year, Gordon has 20 receptions for 287 yards and a touchdown.
Has anyone heard any off the field problems since he went to New England, I don’t know if I missed them, but he seems like he took his 196th chance and turned it around, if he’s put his past in the past I think every team in the league would have interest
If he had any real value the Pats would have kept him as part of roster and wouldn’t consider his release and wouldn’t have traded for Sanu.
He did have one slip up last season where he either tested positive or was afraid he was going to use again. It was never confirmed if it was a seld imposed leave of absense or an NFL mandated one but he took half the season off last year. Was cleared to play this year but honestly looked like a shell of his former self even before hurting his knee. Can’t take that much time off the field and stay elite.
It seemed more like he knew he might relapse so he took himself out of the situation completely before anything happened like he’d rather miss time than get banned again
I wonder if the NFLPA will try to outlaw this type of move in the future. Kind of abuses the IR to keep a player from being able to choose where they sign if they are healthy enough to pass a physical.
Is he healthy enough to pass a physical?
If he is would it be fair?
Thought they had to do an “injury settlement” release? Or is that only preseason?
I think they do, but they robbed him the chance to pick where he would sign since they IR’d him until after the trade deadline where his release would subject him to waivers. Pats save $ through the injury settlement and keep him from having the option to choose to sign for a top contender.
Pittsburgh should try to claim him. If he’s healthy, him, Juju, and Johnson make a solid 1-2-3 and gives Rudolph some reliable targets.
Hoping the Raiders get him. Desperate for wr help. Might be decent for him with a former teammate in Trent Brown, and Darren Waller thriving with his own issues under control with the organization
Agreed
didn’t he say he’d never be a part of that organization ever again?
Raiders would be a good fit
They gave Aldon smith and martavis Bryant chances I don’t see why they shouldn’t give Gordon a shot too
Would love for the Giants to take a flyer on him to give Jones another target, but they’re pretty capped out. On top of that, Gordon has never played for the Cardinals or Panthers, so Gettleman would not be interested.
Jets should’ve traded Anderson and claimed him
They should have traded Anderson, but they don’t need Gordon to micromanage with a non competitive immediate future
He’d be a welcomed addition in Buffalo, but I doubt he’ll make it that far without being claimed.
He’s probably going to get claimed by one of the bottom dwellers so they get a comp pick for him in the offseason
Maybe The Packers could pick him up. You know kinda like when they picked up Andre Rison
Gordon will be claimed and waived a few more times then retire to join the illustrious staff at ESPN.