Josh Gordon has a clear path to reinstatement, but can he do it?

Josh Gordon’s NFL career is tied to providing the NFL 60-90 days of clean drug tests.

That’s it. Two or three months without failing a test and Gordon could be reinstated. That’s what ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. The Cleveland Browns’ receiver’s reinstatement was held up because of a diluted test last month. Now Schefter says the NFL wants those 60-90 days of “no red-flag tests” before it rules on his reinstatement.

The question, of course, is how bad Gordon wants back in the NFL.

Gordon’s history of failed tests go back to his multiple college stops. Then he has had issues in the NFL. Since his All-Pro season of 2013, he has played just five games because of suspensions. He should be reinstated from a year-long suspension already, but last month he had a diluted test. Fox Sports reported both of Gordon’s samples tested positive for dilute and marijuana, though the level of marijuana wasn’t enough to trigger a positive test. But the NFL treats a diluted sample as a positive test.

It seems the NFL is being patient with Gordon and giving him every chance to show he is clean. Another positive test before reinstatement, and it would about time to close the curtain on Gordon’s NFL career. The Browns have been remarkably patient with Gordon, though it doesn’t really cost them anything to hold onto him through suspensions. However, eventually teams give up on even the most talented players. Gordon reportedly living with Johnny Manziel, who has his own set of off-field issues, isn’t really helping his reputation either.

So it’s seemingly right there in front of Gordon. Two-to-three months of clean tests and he’s likely to be back in the NFL. So we’ll get to see if that’s what he wants.

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab