RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks are bringing back wide receiver Josh Gordon on a one-year deal even as the talented pass catcher awaits reinstatement by the NFL after his latest suspension.
Gordon’s signing was , by his agent David Canter early Thursday and later announced by the team, just two days before the Seahawks must cut their roster to 53 players. Gordon is the second veteran signed by the team in the past week, joining Paul Richardson.
“Josh's experience with us was really positive. He worked really hard, studied hard, came through when he had his chances in games, made some incredible plays and left us with a really good impression,” coach Pete Carroll said. “We’ve told you all along that we really liked the experience we had and we were hoping that all along, if there was a chance to get him back, we would want to get him back. So we’ll just have to wait and see when, but we’re happy to have the opportunity to bring him to our club.”
Gordon was suspended indefinitely by the NFL last December for violating the league’s drug policy. He tested positive for performance enhancers and “substances of abuse,” the league said in a statement at the time.
He applied for reinstatement in June and is still awaiting word from the league. Carroll said “we've obviously tried to find out,” but the team does not have an indication on when or if Gordon will be reinstated.
“Again, we don’t know exactly how this is gonna roll out so we thought this was the best time to do it and we’ll see what happens," Carroll said. "I don’t know. We’re all kind of just keeping our fingers crossed he gets a chance to play soon.”
Gordon, 29, has been suspended eight times overall by either his team or the NFL, including six times since 2013, mostly for violating the league’s policies on banned substances.
Gordon signed with Seattle midway through last season after he was released by New England. He made a strong impression in the Seahawks locker room even with limited production on the field. Gordon had just seven catches for 139 yards over five games. But he found an advocate in quarterback Russell Wilson, who made a connection with Gordon during his short time with the Seahawks.
“I think I’m fortunate in general to have landed in a place like this with coaches like this,” Gordon said last year prior to his suspension. “The coaching staff, the organization from the top down, the guys, it’s real family like. It’s real close, real tight-knit, real energetic group and real competitive. They love the game of football. You can see it, and it’s a great feeling to come back to football and enjoy what you do and then be able to have fun with it.”
Carroll said he communicated with Gordon during the offseason to see where he was at in dealing with another suspension. Gordon also posted photos of his workouts in the Seattle area during the offseason.
“He’s had issues but he has been a terrific young man in all of our exchanges,” Carroll said. “I’m really pleased to have a chance to give him an opportunity again."
A 2012 second-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns, Gordon was also suspended for the first two games of the 2013 season for a substance-abuse policy violation, yet still caught 87 passes for nine touchdowns and a league-leading 1,646 yards and was voted to the All-Pro team.
Seattle also signed DE Damontre Moore to add depth along the defensive line. Moore played for Seattle in 2016 before stops in Dallas, Oakland and San Francisco. Moore's addition is important with rookie second-round pick Darrell Taylor likely to remain on the non-football injury list to start the season.
Carroll was also asked about any contact with free agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and didn't close the door.
“Always competing. Always competing,” Carroll said.
NOTES: Seattle released WR Seth Dawkins and DE Pita Taumoepenu to clear the roster spots for Moore and Gordon. ... CB Quinton Dunbar was away from the team to attend a funeral. ... OT Cedric Ogbuehi is expected to return to practice Monday after missing time with a strained pectoral muscle.
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