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What Josh Gordon's absence means for the Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – There are two layers to the news New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon is stepping away from football to focus on his mental health, as he is facing a potential suspension for violating the terms of his conditional reinstatement under the NFL’s drug policy.

The first is the personal side and viewing it through the appropriate lens. Given Gordon’s past struggles with substance abuse, his health comes first, which ESPN analyst Louis Riddick captured in a tweet:

If u have any experience w/loved one that struggles w/mental health/addiction, u know just how difficult it can be to overcome & control.