Josh Gordon and Wes Welker should both be back in action soon once the new NFL drug policy is officially put into action and that means for fantasy football owners the Broncos wideout can return to the active roster right away, while Gordon will have his suspension reduced and he could be starting again closer to the end of the season for the Cleveland Browns and QB Brian Hoyer.
According to ESPN.com, the new drug policy will bring Gordon's suspension down to 10 games from the full 16 he was hit with for this season, while Welker will be activated right away once it becomes official. Welker was hit with a four game suspension for his positive test for amphetamines before the season started, but he will be moved to the drug side and not PED policy, meaning he should be able to play right away when things are set. The Browns would love to have Gordon back sooner, but they will take the cut suspension at what it is.
ESPN.com reports that the drug policy is being finalized and once that is done, Wes Welker will be eligible to be back in the lineup for the Broncos. Welker was suspended for four games ahead of the start of the season and he has missed the first two for Denver and they have not missed a beat, going 2-0 to open the season. All reports have Welker likely to suit up for Week 3 and that is big news for fantasy football owners, as they hung on to Welker after the suspension and have been waiting for some resolution.
Welker had a solid season in 2013 despite missing three games and he ended up with 73 catches for 778 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year. The previous two seasons he was over 1300 yards and 110 catches, but in the Denver offense he has more players to deal with, although he should still be a strong fantasy player. Demaryius Thomas is the number one and Emmanuel Sanders will also take some points away, but Welker is the top name to keep an eye on as he comes back.
Gordon will take longer to get into the lineup, but fantasy owners will be rewarded for their patience once he does get into the lineup. Gordon likely will be able to come to work out with the team and attend meetings and that will be big for his return as well. Last season Gordon was fantastic with 87 catches for 1646 yards to lead the league and he also had nine touchdowns and the Browns are hopeful he is back for the final stretch of the season.
It looks like Gordon will be back for Week 12 of the season and that's just in time for the playoffs for fantasy owners. Welker and Gordon are two major names that the drug policy had an effect on and now they will be back in action. The NFL had to do something amid the whole Ray Rice situation, as it was looking ridiculous that Gordon and these other players were suspended so harshly while Rice got basically nothing.
