Cleveland Browns WR Josh Gordon suspended by team for finale

Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon said all the right things after he was suspended for 10 games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, so at least he has figure out how to help his image that way.

But following through with his claims that he wants to change his image? Well, maybe not so much.

Gordon was suspended for the team's regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens for violating team rules, the Browns announced. It's a really bad way for Gordon to go into the offseason, although the details of why he was suspended weren't immediately clear. The Associated Press reported Gordon "was late getting onto the practice field Friday and emerged from the team's facility for the outdoor workout wearing teammate Travis Benjamin's jersey," but it's not clear if any of that had to do with the suspension.

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The news is good for the Ravens, who have to win Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive. Already the Browns were going to be shorthanded, as it appears rookie Connor Shaw will start at quarterback due to the Browns' top two quarterbacks being injured. But the Gordon news is way more important for Cleveland than just losing their top receiver for a Week 17 game.

Talent has never been an issue with Gordon, an All-Pro receiver in 2013. But he just can't stay out of trouble. Gordon missed the first two games of the 2013 season due to a league suspension, then missed the first 10 games this year due to a suspension. He bookends that with his suspension for Week 17.

It wouldn't be a surprise if the Browns tried to move Gordon this offseason. And some team would likely take a chance on him, though not at a positive return on investment for the Browns. Gordon had 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns in just 14 games last season. His production this year was down, with just 303 yards and no touchdowns in five games, though the Browns' quarterback issues had some part in that.

Gordon is a fantastic talent and should be a centerpiece of the Browns' rebuilding efforts. But can they trust him going forward?

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab

from Yahoo Sports http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/cleveland-browns-wr-josh-gordon-suspended-by-team-for-finale-192508526.html