Availability update on Chiefs receiver Josh Gordon

The Kansas Chiefs’ newly acquired receiver Josh Gordon will not play in Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Chiefs fans will have to wait a little longer to see Gordon in action as he works to get back into game shape.

On Friday Chiefs coach Andy Reid had this to say about the status of his new offensive weapon.

“He’s not playing this week,” Reid said. “He’s getting himself ready — learning the playbook, doing the mental part and getting a little of the rust knocked off. You can tell he’s very talented. You guys have all seen him play before — I’m not telling you something you don’t know — but he is a talented football player.”

Gordon took his last NFL snap back on Dec. 29, 2019, with the Seattle Seahawks. Since then, he has been out of the league suspended. He was briefly re-instated almost a year later, but that was rescinded after he violated terms with the Seahawks.

“Listen, he looks in pretty good shape,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, via Chiefs writer John Dixon. “I mean, he’s got a little less body fat than I do. He’s trimmed down, and he’s really fit. One thing he’s been doing is working out. . . . I think he’s in good shape. He’s been out here working very hard.”

With the amount of time he has spent away from the game, it is understandable that he has some mental and physical catching up to do. Many teams call similar plays but scheming varies from team to team, and one must acclimate to how a play-caller calls their plays.

Gordon’s early career

Gordon had his best year back in 2013 with the Cleveland Browns. Although the Browns finished that season at 4-12, the former Baylor Bear was unstoppable. He lead the league in receiving years with 1,646 on 87 catches and added nine touchdowns for good measure. He was named to the Pro-Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro too. But after that, suspensions limited his time on the field. In the following year, he faced a one-year suspension that he was able to get reduced to 10 games. But after another violation, he was suspended indefinitely by the NFL. Gordon has been suspended a total of six times by the league.

If anybody can get the best out of Gordon it would be the offensive mastermind, Andy Reid. Reid has turned the Chiefs into a perennial Superbowl contender and lock for the playoff. And with Superbowl  MVP Patrick Mahomes, Gordon could enjoy a career renaissance when he gets back on the field