Will a new team be what Josh Gordon needs ? Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots acquired wide receiver Josh Gordon from the Cleveland Browns on Monday in exchange for a conditional 2019 fifth-round draft pick, the Browns announced on Monday.
The Browns had announced on Saturday that they would release Gordon, but decided to trade him instead after learning of interest from other NFL teams.
The Browns apparently had decided on Saturday to release Gordon after he showed up late for work that day and was “not himself,” sources told cleveland.com.
He also said he had a pulled hamstring, and that may have occurred during a video shoot on Friday to promote his clothing line, according to the cleveland.com report, which added that the Browns had decided to part ways with Gordon because of his off-field issues, not because of the injury.
Gordon played in the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers and had one reception for 17 yards and a touchdown.
Gordon has missed a total of 54 games over the past four seasons due to multiple NFL suspensions. He was named All-Pro in 2013 when he led the league in receiving yardage.
In addition, the Browns announced they signed Rod Streater.
–The Browns signed rookie Greg Joseph to replace fellow kicker Zane Gonzalez one day after the latter missed two field-goal attempts and two extra-point tries in a hard-luck 21-18 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Joseph, who kicked with Florida Atlantic, was released by the Miami Dolphins this summer despite making all three of his field-goal attempts and two extra-point tries in four preseason games.
Joseph now must be ready to kick for Thursday’s game against the New York Jets.
Gonzalez had been nursing a groin injury that required an MRI on Monday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
–Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson announced that Carson Wentz has been medically cleared to play and will start in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Wentz is approximately nine months removed from sustaining a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee against the Los Angeles Rams.
Nick Foles will return to his role as the backup as Wentz prepares to be under center for the Eagles (1-1) in the Sunday’s game against the Colts (1-1).
Foles led the franchise to its only Super Bowl victory with a 41-33 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
–Eagles wide receiver Mike Wallace sustained a fractured fibula in his right leg and will miss a few weeks, Pederson said.
Wallace, who signed a one-year deal in the offseason, isn’t expected to be placed on injured reserve.
–The Minnesota Vikings made a change in their place-kickers on Monday after a disappointing showing on Sunday.
The Vikings waived Daniel Carlson, the team announced. Dan Bailey is expected to be signed, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
Carlson lasted just two games in Minnesota after beating out Kai Forbath during training camp.
Carlson, a fifth-round pick, missed three field goals in Sunday’s tie with the Green Bay Packers, including two potential game-winners in overtime.
His second miss in overtime was from 35 yards away.
–The Los Angeles Rams are expected to sign Sam Ficken with Pro Bowl kicker Greg Zuerlein nursing a groin injury, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported.
Ficken made two of three field-goal attempts in two regular-season games in 2017 while replacing Zuerlein, who underwent season-ending back surgery. Ficken also drilled both field-goal attempts during Los Angeles’ playoff loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Zuerlein, who was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week last Wednesday, sustained his injury during pregame warmups on Sunday.
–Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown took issue with a former team employee over social media.
Brown was seen venting on the sideline during Pittsburgh’s 42-37 setback to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The six-time Pro Bowl selection finished with nine receptions in his second straight game while increasing his season total to 160 yards and a touchdown.
“AB needs to thank his lucky stars, because he was drafted by a team that had Ben (Roethlisberger). And Ben got AB paid,” the former staffer wrote on Twitter. “You know darn well he wouldn’t put up those numbers for other teams.”
Brown didn’t waste time responding, writing: “Trade me let’s find out”
The 30-year-old Brown has recorded 100-plus catch seasons in each of the last five years. He also has eclipsed 1,200 receiving yards while reeling in eight or more touchdown passes in every season during that stretch.
