Kansas City Chiefs cut veteran wide receiver ahead of AFC Championship

The Kansas City Chiefs are releasing wide receiver Josh Gordon. Gordon was signed by the Chiefs this season, getting another shot in the NFL. But now, Gordon, who has not been active for recent games, is off of the active roster.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Chiefs intend to bring Gordon back to the practice squad, assuming he clears waivers.

“The #Chiefs are waiving WR Josh Gordon — who has been inactive — but plan to re-sign him to the practice squad if he clears, per source,” Pelissero tweeted. “Because Gordon was on the 53-man roster for 8 games, he’ll get the same playoff check plus a practice squad check for rest of the playoffs.”

Gordon played in nine games this season, the most recent coming on January 8 against the Denver Broncos. He caught five of his 14 targets this year for 32 yards and one touchdown. Now, as the Chiefs gear up for the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC title game, Gordon has lost his spot on the 53-man roster.

Gordon’s NFL career has been hampered by suspensions

The Cleveland Browns selected Gordon in the second round of the 2012 NFL Supplemental Draft. In 2013, he was suspended for the first time after violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drugs policy. A year later, Gordon was suspended again, this time for the entire 2015 season. He was also suspended for the 2016 season. Gordon then played in five games in 2017 with Cleveland.

In 2018, the New England Patriots took a chance on Gordon, acquiring him in September. By December, he was suspended indefinitely again. He has since played for the Seattle Seahawks, but he was suspended twice during his tenure there. He was released by Seattle on March 4, leading to Gordon being added to the Chiefs.

In his NFL career, Gordon has hauled in 252 receptions on 477 targets for 4,284 yards and 21 touchdowns.

The Chiefs are coming off of a thrilling overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Both teams displayed amazing offense and great comebacks in the final two minutes. Through two postseason games, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has thrown for 782 yards and eight touchdowns with one interception.

Gordon was not active for either Chiefs playoff game. Receivers Tyreek Hill, Demarcus Robinson, Mecole Hardman and Byron Bringle have gotten the most work in the receiving room, in addition to tight end Travis Kelce and running back Jerick McKinnon.