CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Receiver Josh Gordon won't be back by Tuesday's deadline to be eligible to receive an accrued NFL season in 2018, but the Browns won't let it hurt his free agency status, a league source told cleveland.com.

A source said Gordon is "getting closer" to returning to the club and is expected back soon, but it won't be by Tuesday, which is 30 days before the start of the regular season -- the reporting deadline for a player to be eligible to receive an accrued season.



Gordon has only two accrued seasons from being suspended for 56 of a possible 96 games, and needs one more -- a total of six games -- to become a restricted free agent. He'll need a fourth accrued season to be eligible for unrestricted free agency and a chance to hit the open market.



But the Browns have worked closely with the NFL to make sure that Gordon's health and well-being are the most important thing, and that he's not pressured by any deadlines to end his current treatment plan before he's ready.



Gordon, who's on the reserve/did not report list, is in Gainesville, Fla., where he spent 90 days in inpatient rehab last summer and fall. He's believed to be working with some of the same counselors as last year so there's continuity in his program.



When the Browns placed Gordon on the list at the start of camp, they had already worked through Tuesday's deadline with the NFL so that Gordon isn't hurt from a contractual standpoint by not showing up on Tuesday. Mike Florio of profootballtalk.com first pointed out that Gordon would technically be ineligible for restricted free agency after 2018 and unrestricted free agency after 2019 if he doesn't report by Tuesday.

Sources have said Gordon is doing well in his treatment program, but that he needs more time. He's also working out with Tim Shankle of HomeGrown Worldwide to stay in football shape.



No one can say for sure how much time he'll need, but some still believe he'll be back "soon." Again, Browns GM John Dorsey said at the start of camp that "soon'' can mean a lot of things, and that it's uncertain at this point when he'll be back.



Gordon's immediate future is in the hands of his medical team.



When they determine he can handle the physical, mental and emotional demands of the season, they'll allow him to return to Berea.

But his doctors obviously will proceed with caution, because they want to make sure Gordon is ready and that he can make it through the season once he gets back.

In Stage 3 of the NFL's substance-abuse program, Gordon will need to continue to work hard on his treatment plan once he returns, and will still be subject to random drug testing up to 10 times per month.

Gordon's friend and fellow Browns receiver Rashard Higgins said he exchanged texts with Gordon on Friday and was encouraged by what he heard.

"He's in good spirits and we don't talk about anything about the field or anything,'' Higgins said. "We just talk about 'Hey, what's up bro, how ya doing?' Family, just little things like that, but we're not too concerned. We know Josh is handling his business off the field and when he comes back, he'll be ready to go.''

Dorsey told team radio partner 92.3 The Fan this week that he still expects Gordon back this season.

"I told you all he would be here and he will be here,'' said Gordon.

Last Saturday, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam alluded to Gordon's substance issues when asked about his absence.

"You know, this is a difficult situation,'' Haslam said. "Josh has clearly struggled with addiction and he would tell you that, over a long period of time. I think we saw a different Josh Gordon here in the spring and during workouts he's working hard, and we're going to continue to work with the person and try to help him out both personally and professionally until it doesn't make sense.''

When Gordon returns, he'll play under the exclusive rights free agent tender of $790,000 this season.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told cleveland.com last month that Gordon has not been suspended and that there was no timetable for his return. He also said the league would address the matter at the appropriate time.