BEREA, Ohio -- Rashard Higgins has been channeling Josh Gordon while the latter's been absent, catching deep balls and TDs every day from Baker Mayfield.

"That's my locker buddy and I'm wearing his shirts every day so that's why I feel like I've got superpowers when I come out here,'' said the Browns receiver, referring to Gordon's tees that he's using as undershirts.

Higgins, who's grown close to Gordon over the past few years, reached out to him on Friday and was pleased with what he heard.

"We were texting yesterday and he's in good spirits and we don't talk about anything about the field or anything,'' he 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.''

Higgins said he's tried to lend an ear for the former All-Pro receiver, who's taking some time to work on his overall physical and emotional health.

"Oh absolutely, I feel like the team as a unit is a good supporting cast for him, just for him knowing that we're here for him and we've got his back no matter what,'' he said.

On Friday, Browns GM John Dorsey told 92.3 The Fan that he still believes Gordon will rejoin the Browns, despite the NFL saying before the start of the camp that "there's no timetable for his return."

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

He reiterated that he admires what Gordon is doing "because he's taking care of the long-term interest of his person, and what I'm going to do is concentrate on the guys who are here in the 2018 training camp. And when Josh gets here, I'll be excited to see him."

Higgins wholeheartedly agrees that his buddy will be back soon, and said when he does return, "it will be like he never was gone. That's been one of our brothers from the beginning. That's how we're going to treat things.''

Gordon has been working out in Gainesville, Fla., with Tim Shankle of Homegrown Worldwide. Last summer and fall, Gordon spent 90 days in an inpatient rehab facility in Gainesville, and is likely undergoing some outpatient counseling there.

In Gordon's absence, the Browns made preliminary contact with the agent for former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant about possibly coming in for a visit, but nothing has developed. Bryant, who wants to play for a contender, would have to get a feel for the Browns organization to make sure it's a fit, and the Browns would have to do likewise.

Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown has lobbied for the Steelers to sign Bryant.

In the meantime, Higgins has made a strong case to make the team with Gordon gone and Ricardo Louis out for the season with a neck injury that required surgery.

"I feel like this is my chance,'' said Higgins. "And I just want to make the most of it, referring back to me being cut and not wanting to be there in those shoes last year, so I'm just working day in and day out to not be in that predicament.''

When his locker buddy is back, maybe Gordon's Pro Bowl ability will rub off on the third-year pro, with or without the shirts.