CLEVELAND -- The Browns haven't washed their hands of Josh Gordon.

A Browns official has corresponded with Gordon this offseason, according to a source. Gordon is serving a one-year suspension for multiple violations of the league's drug and alcohol policy.

A Browns official has corresponded with Josh Gordon this offseason, a source said. The NFL permits teams to contact a player serving a one-year suspension through a player-engagement rep. Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

The NFL permits teams to contact a player serving a one-year suspension only through a player-engagement rep, according to spokesman Greg Aiello. The Browns are following that rule.

Gordon was suspended for 10 games last year after a failed drug test, then failed to score a touchdown in a return to the lineup. The Browns sidelined Gordon for the season finale at Baltimore for missing or being late to several meetings. The league levied the yearlong suspension in February after Gordon failed an alcohol test in Las Vegas while on a postseason trip with teammates.

In 2013, Gordon was approaching elite wide receiver status after 87 catches for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus told the Cleveland Plain Dealer earlier this month that Gordon gets up to 10 drug or alcohol tests monthly and has remained clean.

"It's a difficult process, and it's meant to be difficult, obviously," Rosenhaus told the newspaper. "But I've got faith in him, and he'll get through this tough time and he still has a very bright future in the NFL, in my opinion."

That bright future can't begin until February, when Gordon is up for reinstatement. He can't rejoin team activities until the NFL allows him to do so.