Josh Gordon can return to Browns this season

Josh Gordon’s tangled ordeal, full of legal twists and turns, has finally been straightened out, and he can run a route back to the Cleveland Browns this season.

The star wide receiver was reinstated into the NFL and had his one-year suspension reduced to 10 games Friday after the league announced changes to its drug policy. Gordon will be eligible to play in Cleveland’s final six games after the league and NFL Players Assn. agreed on revisions to the substance-abuse program two days after announcing changes on performance-enhancing drugs.

“I’m happy that the NFLPA and NFL worked hard to agree on a new substances of abuse policy,” Gordon said in a statement. “I’m very thankful to my union for fighting for a significant reduction in my suspension. I’m glad I can go to the facility during my suspension. I look forward to going to meetings, working out individually, and learning from my coaches and teammates. I can’t wait until Game 11 to get back on the field!”

Because he has already served two games of the suspension, Gordon will be eligible to play Nov. 23 when the Browns visit Atlanta. Gordon’s 10-game suspension will cost him more than $800,000. He’ll be paid more than $300,000 if he plays in those last six games.

Abraham out for season

A severe concussion has ended John Abraham’s season, and perhaps his career, after the Arizona Cardinals placed the 15-year NFL veteran on injured reserve.

“You feel bad for somebody who it’s probably the end of their line,” Coach Bruce Arians said.

The 36-year-old outside linebacker sustained a concussion in the season opener against San Diego. He left the team briefly after that, reportedly contemplating retirement, before making an attempt to return this week. The extent of the injury became apparent in a concussion test Abraham took Thursday.

“The concussion protocol really did its job coming back, finding a couple of problems,” Arians said. “The doctors feel that he should shut it down for at least a year. We’re glad we caught it now and not later.”

Asked what those problems were, the coach said he wasn’t smart enough to know what “all those words” mean, “but it’s not good.”

Also in Arizona, Arians said Drew Stanton will start at quarterback in place of Carson Palmer for the second straight week when the Cardinals play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Arians said that if Palmer is in good enough condition, he will be the backup quarterback. But Arians said Palmer, out with a nerve problem in his shoulder, still is unable to throw a pass.

“He’s improved dramatically,” Arians said, “but he still can’t throw.”

Stanton’s numbers weren’t spectacular — he completed 14 for 29 for 167 yards — but he committed no turnovers in Arizona’s 25-14 road win over the New York Giants last Sunday. It was the first time he had played in a regular-season game in four years.

Bronco’s father dies

Denver Broncos defensive tackle Marvin Austin said he’ll play Sunday at Seattle in honor of his father, who died Friday.

Marvin Austin Sr., 49, had been hospitalized in Raleigh, N.C., since being ejected in a rollover auto accident Sunday evening.

Austin got the news while having dinner at a steakhouse in Denver after the Broncos’ victory over Kansas City and flew to North Carolina. He spent several days there until returning to practice Thursday.

Etc.

New York Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson was fined $20,000 for unnecessary roughness — throwing punches — in a fight that resulted in him being ejected against the Green Bay Packers. Teammate Sheldon Richardson was fined $8,268 for grabbing an opponent’s facemask after the play. Packers tight end Andrew Quarless was also docked $8,268 for unnecessary roughness after he ripped off Richardson’s helmet. St. Louis linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar was fined $16,537 for a hit on Tampa Bay quarterback Josh McCown. Giants linebacker Jameel McClain was docked $8,268 for a late hit on Arizona quarterback Stanton.

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Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan was suspended for the second time this year for a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, and he must sit out the next four games without pay.

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The Oakland Raiders probably will be without two of their starting linebackers for Sunday’s game in New England. Middle linebacker Nick Roach is still recovering from a concussion he suffered during the preseason and has only recently returned to practice on a limited basis. Outside linebacker Sio Moore has been ruled out because of an ankle injury suffered in last week’s loss to Houston.

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Washington Redskins receiver DeSean Jackson is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles after being “very limited” in practice Friday. Jackson is recovering from a sprained left shoulder and didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday. He has been looking forward to facing the Eagles, who cut him in March.