Josh Gordon Suspension Expected to Be Reduced to 8 Games, According to Adam Schefter

Josh Gordon’s suspension should be reduced to 8 games by this afternoon, on approval of a new drug policy, according to Adam Schefter.

The new drug policy, which also deals with HGH testing, is expected to be put to a vote of the union reps today, and has several new features.

The one that affects Gordon is that the threshold for a positive marijuana test is being raised from 15 ng/ml to 35 ng/ml on the “A” sample. Remember that Gordon tested just above the previous standard, which is lower than most other professional leagues and sporting bodies. When Schefter is reporting an 8 game suspension, it is likely the result of a compromise. The new policy would be retroactive to the 2014 league year, and wipe out any suspensions that would no longer occur under the new policy. Gordon’s test in question, however, came in the 2013 league year.

Wes Welker and Orlando Scandrick should also see their suspensions lifted. The new policy would make offseason tests that are positive for amphetamines as part of the substance abuse policy as opposed to the performance enhancing drug policy. As a result, the player would not be automatically subject to the four game suspension for PED, but instead would go into the substance abuse program (where multiple positive tests could result in future suspensions).

Other features, according to the article by Albert Breer of NFL.com, are two game suspensions for DUI convictions, but no suspension for an arrest prior to conviction.