Josh Gordon

Chris Mortensen appeared on ESPN's NFL Insiders today (hat tip to 4for4 friend @MichaelSalfino) and was discussing the deal between the NFLPA and NFL. He said that they have made progress this afternoon, but it might be into Thursday (or later) that a deal gets done, so he’s skeptical that Browns WR Josh Gordon (or any of the suspended players) would be available for Week 2. But here’s the key exchange:

Q: What is the probability that these players are reinstated?

A: I think that it’s a 100 percent probability based on what I’ve been told.

Moreover, the online sports book Bovada shows Gordon as a -400 favorite to play this season, so it appears that the public sentiment is that there’s about a 75 percent chance he plays. Even when Gordon’s appeal was denied, litigation was a possibility, so we recommended owners wait until the dust settled. Now the ongoing drug negotiations have breathed new life into his prospects of playing this season. At this point we’re recommending that owners bid aggressively if Gordon is somehow still available on the waiver wire. He’s a game-changer and is worth the risk, but be aware that this could go sideways at any moment. However, we feel good about this recommendation given Mortensen’s confidence in the situation. For what it's worth, Ian Rapoport said this: "Every 2014 league year suspension will be reviewed, if deal is approved. Josh Gordon failed his drug test in 2013, so wait and see on him."