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Browns Team Report

Yahoo! Sports - Jun 18, 1:47 am EDT

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Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was suspended without pay for the first two regular-season games of 2013 and fined two additional game checks for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.

Gordon is eligible to return to the Browns' active roster on Sept. 16. He is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.

"In February, I was diagnosed with strep throat for which a doctor prescribed antibiotics and cough medicine. Apparently, the medicine I took contained codeine, which is prohibited by the NFL policy," Gordon said in a statement. "The policy terms are strict about unintentional ingestion, but the NFL has not imposed the maximum punishment in light of the facts of my case. Therefore, I have chosen to be immediately accountable for the situation. I sincerely apologize for the impact on my team, coaches, and Browns fans. I look forward to working hard in training camp and preseason, and contributing immediately when I return in week three."

As a rookie last season, Gordon had 50 catches for 805 yards with five touchdowns.

"Obviously we are all disappointed in this news," Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski said in a statement. "In our short time with Josh, he has done everything that we've asked him to do and he has exhibited substantial improvement. We believe that he will continue to work diligently through training camp and the preseason. I am confident that others will step up in his absence."

--There could be more to the cautious approach to fragile running back Trent Richardson than the Browns are allowing to be told to the public. Or not.

Coach Rob Chudzinski disputed a report that Richardson will miss at least a part of training camp and said the running back will be ready when camp opens on July 26.

"That's my expectation," Chudzinksi said.

A PR assistant muzzled Richardson when a reporter asked Richardson a question about the ESPNCleveland report.

However, Richardson has said the injury is "No biggee."

According to ESPNCleveland, Richardson could be held out as a precaution at the start of training camp while the injury heals. The report claimed that the team is concerned the shin injury could develop into a stress fracture if Richardson tries to hurry back too quickly.

Richardson was injured when a teammate inadvertently stepped on his shin early in OTAs. Coaches are always shouting "Stay up! Stay up!" precisely so incidents like the one involving Richardson can be avoided.

Richardson also is reportedly suffering from migraines. The medication he is taking for the headaches, plus being unable to go through a normal routine in the weight room, has caused Richardson to lose an unspecified amount of weight.

"We need Trent back and that's why him taking some time off now and getting 100 percent is I think a good idea," quarterback Brandon Weeden said. "I told him the same thing. I said, 'We need you in training camp and ready for Week 1.' He's going to make this offense better. Yeah, we talk about all the balls being thrown downfield and doing all those things, but you've got to hand it to 33. He's too vital for this offense to be good, be productive. So we need him back ASAP."

The Browns do have backups in Montario Hardesty, Chris Ogbonnaya and Brandon Jackson, but they are backups and not close to Richardson's ability when he's healthy. The problem is Richardson has had trouble staying healthy since he was drafted third overall in 2012.

Richardson had knee surgery in February of 2012 and another knee surgery last August. The August surgery caused him to miss all of preseason. He suffered two broken ribs in the sixth game and continued playing until finally sitting out the final game.

Richardson proved he is a tough player last year by playing with broken ribs. The Browns do not play their first preseason game until Aug. 8 against the Rams. He could miss the first few days of training camp and still play in all four preseason games.

The preseason games are essential for Richardson to get his timing down with his offensive line. He said not having that last year slowed his progress early in the season.

Tight end Jordan Cameron, bothered by nagging injuries his first two seasons, grabbed his left hamstring after catching a touchdown pass from Brandon Weeden late in practice Wednesday. A trainer walked with him to the sideline and taped it.

Chudzinski did not have an immediate report on Cameron's condition.
Things could change, but for now John Greco is starting at left guard and Shawn Lauvao at right guard. Jason Pinkston is working as a left guard on the second unit.

Pinkston missed the final 10 games of 2012 with a blood clot in his lung. Greco replaced him and finished the season with 10 straight starts.
The Browns will open training camp on July 26.
Quarterback Brian Hoyer took some snaps with the second team in minicamp Tuesday. He connected with Travis Benjamin on a 46-yard touchdown pass during an 11-on-11 drill.
As expected, the Browns announced that franchise icon will return to the team as a special advisor. In his role, Brown will perform in a variety of off-field capacities with the club and in the community. Brown previously served as an executive advisor with the team, a position he held through 2010.

Said Brown, "I am excited to be back and a part of a franchise that will always be very close to my heart. I want to thank (owner) Jimmy Haslam and (CEO) Joe Banner for giving me this chance to return to the organization and the great city of Cleveland, whose fans are the best in the NFL and who always have supported me. I look forward to getting started and once again make difference, not just with the franchise but in the Northeast Ohio community."

Haslam said, "Jim Brown is one of the most iconic figures, not just in Cleveland, but the entire NFL. His playing career still stands as one of the most remarkable in league annals, and his work in the community since his retirement, especially with our youth, has been just as impressive. He will be a tremendous asset to our organization and we are thrilled that he will be representing the Browns in many different capacities."

Quote To Note:

"It all starts in the meeting room and out here at practice. You don't get success on the back end without putting in work on the front end. I know that, and that's what I have to do."

- Rookie linebacker Barkevious Mingo.