Browns welcome Gordon to practice

CLEVELAND — Every day he stays committed and sober, Josh Gordon takes another step toward playing again in the NFL.

The long walk and wait are nearly over.

The wide receiver, who squandered millions in potential earnings and derailed a promising career because of substance abuse, will practice with the Browns today for the first time in 14 months — a return that once seemed unimaginable.

Gordon was recently reinstated on a conditional basis by commissioner Roger Goodell after being suspended for the past two seasons. So far, the enigmatic 26-year-old has fulfilled every requirement placed on him by Goodell, and on Monday he threw with Cleveland's quarterbacks.

Gordon, who has been suspended for the Browns' past 43 games and 53 of 58, has impressed teammates with his attitude since rejoining the team Nov. 7. He has been working out under the team's guidance, and on Sunday he was on the sideline when the winless Browns lost to Jacksonville.

"First and foremost, I'm just happy for him," guard Joel Bitonio said. "I think he's in a good place. You can kind of tell that he's just mentally refreshed almost. He's been away from the game and I think it was a little humbling for him."

Gordon was poised to make a comeback last year, but after spending training camp with the Browns and playing in the exhibition season, he checked himself into a rehab facility.

One of the worries about Gordon is that he will relapse, but coach Hue Jackson believes the Browns have a strong support system in place to aid him inside and outside the team's facility.

"Josh knows that we're always available to him," Jackson said. "But he's entitled to be a man and make his decisions and do the right thing, and we truly believe and support that he will. He's done everything we've asked him to do thus far. He's working extremely hard. He's excited about being back and about having the opportunity."

Also, the Browns signed free safety Justin Currie and promoted end Tyrone Holmes from the practice squad after placing starting end Emmanuel Ogbah (broken right foot) and tackle Jamie Meder (sprained ankle) on injured reserve.

JONES-GOODELL FEUD: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones didn't blink when asked on his radio show if Goodell misled him about no suspension for running back Ezekiel Elliott. Jones seemed to confirm reports that he was told one thing before the six-game ban was issued over a domestic violence accusation, saying the "commissioner has a right to change his mind" before adding that "the commissioner is very powerful and probably in the most powerful position relative to his constituency that there it is in anything. Well, all owners should be holding the commissioner accountable in my view."

BRONCOS: Quarterback Paxton Lynch will replace Brock Osweiler and make his first start of the season Sunday, profootballtalk.com reported.

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FALCONS: They waived cornerback Jalen Collins after his second suspension ended for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.

JAGUARS: Receiver Allen Hurns missed a fourth straight practice with a sprained right ankle and is unlikely to play Sunday at Arizona.

RAIDERS: They fired defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. in a staff shakeup during a disappointing season. Coach Jack Del Rio said assistant John Pagano will step into the coordinator role leading up to this week's home game against the Broncos.

STEELERS: They activated rookie defensive back Cam Sutton from injured reserve. Sutton spent the past two months recovering from a hamstring injury.

WASHINGTON: Starting center Spencer Long needs surgery on a quadriceps tendon and will be headed to injured reserve.