Could Josh Gordon end up playing this season under a new drug testing policy?

Fasten your seat belts, folks. Josh Gordon might just play this season after all, even if his legal team doesn't decide to sue. But it's important not to get your hopes too high, pun somewhat intended. The circumstances of Gordon's case have shown they can change very quickly and drastically.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk is reporting that the NFL and NFLPA are "very close" to reaching an agreement on a new comprehensive drug testing policy, according to a source. Florio broke the story first on Wednesday evening.

The lack of an agreement on blood testing for hGH had delayed the implementation of other terms on which the two sides agreed, including the potential shift of substances like amphetamines from the PED policy to the substance-abuse policy. The hGH testing agreement is expected to grant an independent arbitrator the authority to resolve appeals of positive tests. The last major sticking point related to the question of whether the Commissioner or an independent arbitrator will handle the appeals of discipline imposed for violations unrelated to a positive test.

Albert Breer of the NFL Network later added that the new policy currently "on the table" also includes changes such as a higher threshold for marijuana. Breer pointed out that Goodell's comments about some players not being suspended under a new policy could be in references to this changes.

Big changes on the table in new drug program, per sources: 1) Higher threshold for marijuana test; 2) Removal of amphetamines from PED list. — Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 4, 2014





Breer was also sure to mention that all of the people he's spoken to about the news were careful in explaining the ongoing talks could still come undone, similar to the situation last year.

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