CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Josh Gordon flashed two signs over the past month that another potentially career-ending violation of the substance abuse policy could be on the horizon.



The first was when he overslept for the walkthrough the day before the season finale in Baltimore and was suspended for the game, and the second was last week when he was photographed hanging out in Aspen, Colo. with partier-in-crime Johnny Manziel.



In Stage Three of the NFL's substance abuse program, Gordon has no margin for error, and he apparently slipped up again.



This time, it could be his ticket out of the NFL unless he cleans up his act immediately.



According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gordon violated the substance abuse policy yet again and faces banishment from the NFL for a minimum of a year.

Profootballtalk.com Mike Florio confirmed the report and added that Gordon's positive test this time was for alcohol instead of marijuana. A source told Florio that "Gordon's suspension looks to be a 'done deal,' with a reversal of the ban not expected."



Undoubtedly, Gordon's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, will appeal the suspension. In an email response, he said he's strictly prohibited from discussing the matter per NFLPA rules.



The Browns early Sunday evening issued the following statement, attributed to a team spokesperson: "Clearly we are very disappointed to hear the latest report regarding Josh At this point, due to the confidential nature of the NFL's substance-abuse policy, we have not been made aware by the league of a failed test. We are in the process of gathering more information and will provide further comment at the appropriate time."



News of the failed test comes while Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and the top four members of his organization are meeting offsite for three days for strategic planning and team-building. The subject of whether or not to cut ties with Gordon will undoubtedly catapult to the top of the agenda.



The Browns were already near the end of their rope with Gordon even before this latest transgression. In his postseason press conference, Browns general manager Ray Farmer made no promises that Gordon would be back with the team.



"When the final determination is made, Josh will be the first to know and then everybody else will find out after that,'' Farmer said.



He added that he'd give Gordon and all players every chance to succeed before cutting ties.



"I will work with them, and I will make sure that they get the best, whether it's help that they need, whether it's assistance, whether it's opportunities,'' he said. "I will fight tooth and nail to get those guys those things, and then when they demonstrate that they're either unsavable or we can't help them anymore or they don't want the help, then we'll move on."



Coach Mike Pettine also indicated that Gordon might be on his way out.



"Clearly a disappointing way for him to end the year," Pettine said at his postseason press conference about Gordon's suspension for the finale. "Josh, right now, is a Cleveland Brown. We want to take care of our own, but at the same time, we're going to hold our guys accountable. Everybody recognizes the talent that's there, but this isn't an individual sport.



"You have to be accountable to your coaching staff. You have to be accountable to your teammates, more importantly. That's the thing that we have to get right with Josh. It's not the ability, but at some point, you get tired of using the word 'potential.' This offseason for him puts him squarely in a crossroads with us."



If Gordon is banned indefinitely, he'll be eligible to apply for reinstatement a year after the suspension begins -- providing he can stay clean and sober for the year. It will then be up to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to decide if he lets Gordon back in the league.



It would mark the third suspension for Gordon and the second indefinite ban, although the first was ultimately reduced to 10 games. He was suspended for the first two games of the 2013 -- and docked four game checks for what he said was codeine in his prescribed cough syrup. He was banned indefinitely last year, but it was reduced to 10 games in September when the league revised it's drug policy



Then CEO Joe Banner and general manager Mike Lombardi wanted to unload Gordon before the trading deadline in 2013, and received a second-round offer from the 49ers, but others in the organization, including Hasam and Chudzinski, felt Gordon could flourish with the strong support network in place.



He came through for the Browns that season, leading the league with 1,646 yards in 14 games to earn a Pro Bowl berth and All-Pro honors.



But Gordon let his success go to his head last offseason, and got caught up in the hype and hoopla of becoming one of the NFL's premier receivers. He admitted to former Browns teammate and current NFL Network analyst Nate Burleson that he let his guard down in the aftermath of his rise to fame.



Gordon was kicked out of the league last offseason after testing positive for marijuana, but the final six games of 2014 were restored when the league revised it's substance abuse policy. While awaiting word on his appeal, he was arrested in July in Raleigh, North Carolina for drunk driving, and later convicted. Abstaining from alcohol is part of his league-imposed rehab program.



After the DUI, Gordon checked himself into a rehab facility in California, but said he was told there that he wasn't addicted to any substances. Gordon was also kicked out Baylor and Utah for multiple positive marijuana tests.



Gordon's current violation of his program comes in the midst of Rosenhaus contesting Gordon's suspension for the season finale, which cost him accrued season (six games). The ban, if upheld, meant Gordon would not be an unrestricted free agent until after 2016 -- instead of 2015 as originally scheduled. The extra year of rights would've increased Gordon's trade value.



But now it appears that's all out the window, and the Browns might decide to cut their losses and move on.



When Gordon returned for what was supposed to be the final six games of this season, he was frequently late for team meetings and subsequently fined, which is why he was ultimately kept home from the Baltimore game. Gordon spent time with Manziel the night before they both overslept for their Saturday morning obligations, but Manziel said Gordon wasn't with him late that night.



Still, the sight of the two of them partying in Aspen together had to be disturbing for Haslam and the other Browns' top brass. The team not only had to deal with the missteps of those two this season, but also those of the No. 8 overall pick Justin Gilbert, who was also frequently late, had a horrible attitude and was also banned for the season finale.



When Gordon, the Browns supplemental pick in 2012, came off his 10-game suspension in November, he acknowledged that people would be expecting him to mess up again.



"Honestly, people are going to just believe what they want to believe,'' he said. "I can say it until I'm blue in the face, and people still might not believe it. Until it's done, until it happens, it's the longevity out of it I'm trying to make.



"So through the years, down the line hopefully they see it. But it won't happen I think until years down the line. That's just where I'm at right now with my past and with what's going on.''

