Heaps: Josh Gordon will contribute right away for the Seahawks

The Seahawks got some good and slightly surprising news on Thursday when the NFL announced that receiver Josh Gordon was being reinstated from his suspension.

Related: Seahawks WR Josh Gordon reinstated, can play in final 2 games

Gordon, 29, is a one-time First-Team All-Pro who was claimed by the Seahawks during the 2019 season after being waived by the New England Patriots. Gordon appeared in five games for Seattle recording seven catches for 139 yards.

Gordon was suspended for the fifth time in his NFL career after Seattle’s Week 15 win over the Carolina Panthers due to a failed drug test. He was indefinitely suspended and agreed to a deal with the Seahawks in early September, though it was never clear when he would be eligible to return. Now, Gordon will be able to play in Week 16 when the Seahawks and Rams face off in a game that will likely decide the winner of the NFC West.

When Gordon returns, it will have been more than one year since he last played in the NFL. Can he make much of an impact right away? Former NFL quarterback Jake Heaps of 710 ESPN Seattle’s Jake and Stacy said he expects Gordon to “hit the ground running.”

“Josh to me is one of those players that when you look at how he has handled this particular suspension, the one thing that you have to commend Josh Gordon for is he has continued to work out through all of it,” Heaps said.

Gordon has posted videos and photos on social media of him working out in the Seattle area. Heaps said given the scenario Gordon found himself in, it’s commendable he has been working so hard, especially as it’s been unclear if and when he would be allowed to suit up for the Seahawks.

“I’m very impressed by him being able to go through the situation that he has had, the battles he has had, and try to be as ready as possible for this team because as we have wondered as Seahawks fans (when he would return), so has Josh Gordon,” Heaps said. “He has had no idea how long the NFL was going to suspend him, when they were going to take him off the suspension list, so he has been getting himself ready to play each and every single week.”

Gordon has to first pass COVID-19 testing before he can re-join the team for workouts and meetings, but he won’t be allowed to practice until after Week 15. Then, he can get ready to play in Week 16. Heaps said that timeline is actually more beneficial for Gordon and the Seahawks than you may think.

“I believe that the way they allowed him to come back – he starts the (COVID) testing protocol, next week he gets around the facility and he’s allowed to work out – it gives him enough time to really ensure that he is mentally and physically ready to go once he is allowed to play in Week 16,” Heaps said. “So I have zero hesitation saying you should see Josh Gordon play without any lingering physical issues. I think he’ll be able to contribute.”

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