When the Cleveland Browns travel to Heinz Field on September 7th to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 of the regular season, they will do so without their All-Pro wide receiver Josh Gordon.
On Wednesday, the NFL league office announced they're upholding Josh Gordon's suspension for the duration of the 2014 season and the suspension goes into effect immediately.
"Appeals officer Harold Henderson has upheld the suspension for the 2014 NFL season of Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse," the NFL said in a statement. "The suspension is effective immediately. Gordon's eligibility for reinstatement will be determined following the 2014 season."
The loss of Gordon is a devastating blow to an already struggling Browns offense. The organization isn't just losing its best wide receiver, but the receiver that led the league in receiving yards in 2013.
The Pittsburgh Steelers certainly are familiar with the damage that Gordon can do against their secondary. Last year, Gordon put up 319 yards receiving on 21 catches and a touchdown in a loss against the Steelers. Gordon averaged 117.6 yards receiving per game in 2013, which is the third highest total since the NFL merger in 1970.