Sep 17, 2018 4 min read

Josh Gordon’s strange, stuttering career will start anew in New England.

The Browns severed ties for good with the problematic wide receiver by trading him to the Patriots for a fifth-round draft pick Monday, ending a relationship the team did all it could to save.

The deal came together two days after the Browns reached a breaking point with Gordon, who has been suspended numerous times by the NFL for drug violations since Cleveland drafted him in 2012.

Gordon played in the Browns’ season opener against Pittsburgh, but he reported to the team Saturday with a hamstring injury after practicing all week. The Browns decided to leave him behind when they traveled to New Orleans, and later said they intended to release him.

However, Cleveland general manager John Dorsey found there was a crowded market for him and worked out the swap with New England.

The Browns have been supportive of Gordon, but the team felt betrayed and decided it was time to move on.

“We’ve done all we can do for Josh,” said coach Hue Jackson, who didn’t provide any specifics about Gordon’s issues over the weekend. “We tried to provide the right environment. It just didn’t work out. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery and hopefully things work out for Josh.”

Gordon’s tantalizing talent had caused the Browns to hang onto him while he dealt with drug and alcohol dependence. He missed training camp to receive treatment and the Browns were cautiously optimistic he would help them this season.

But he again let them down, and Jackson acknowledged the separation was necessary.

“I hate to determine it a relief,” Jackson said. “I’m glad there is closure. I’m glad that we’re not in a space where we’re thinking about those things: What could be. What could not be and that we’re coaching the guys that are here.”

His former Cleveland teammate Corey Coleman – who had his own issues with the Browns before being traded last month to Buffalo, cut and then signing with the Patriots – was released by New England to make room for Gordon.

Wentz cleared for contact: He’s back.

Carson Wentz has been cleared to return and is slated to start for the Philadelphia Eagles against Indianapolis in Week 3.

“I was impressed with how well he attacked his rehab throughout the offseason,” coach Doug Pederson said Monday. “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do and he’s ready to go.”

Wentz tore his left ACL and LCL Dec. 10, 2017 in a game against the Los Angeles Rams and had surgery three days later. Backup quarterback Nick Foles led the Eagles to their first NFL title since 1960 and was Super Bowl MVP in the 41-33 victory over New England.

Foles embraced his role from the start and wanted to return to the Eagles this season instead of seeking a starting opportunity elsewhere.

“The greatest thing for me is that (quarterback) room has no egos,” Pederson said. “Nick all along has understood that this is Carson’s football team. We owe a lot of gratitude to Nick Foles for what he’s done and how he’s led this team. He’s very supportive.”

Wentz set a single-season franchise record with 33 touchdown passes last season. The final one came a few plays after he suffered his injury.

Wentz, the No. 2 overall pick in 2016, finished third in NFL MVP voting in his second year. Pederson doesn’t expect him to pick up where he left off immediately.

“It’s going to take some time to get in the rhythm and flow of the game,” Pederson said. “The speed of the game is different than practice. He will be totally prepared. He comes early, stays late, asks a lot of questions, he has a lot of ideas. He’ll be ready mentally.”

The Eagles (1-1) lost 27-21 at Tampa Bay (2-0) Sunday.

Wide receiver Mike Wallace broke his fibula in the first quarter and will miss several weeks.

Wentz probably won’t have top receiver Alshon Jeffery, either. He’s been sidelined since having offseason shoulder surgery and Pederson said Jeffery is week to week.

“Carson’s not Superman. It’s going to take the 10 other guys around him to do their job as well,” Pederson said.