How Seahawks are readying Josh Gordon for return and latest on injuries

Josh Gordon is officially back with the Seahawks, but it’s still going to be a few weeks before he returns to true football action.

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The 29-year-old wide receiver was at Seahawks headquarters Wednesday following his reinstatement from suspension by the NFL, and while he is getting right to work, Seattle is limited in how it can use him for now. Gordon won’t be eligible to practice until Dec. 21, meaning his first game back would be Week 16 against the Los Angeles Rams at the earliest.

During a press conference Wednesday, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll shared the plan with Gordon until he can practice.

“We’ll be working him with our trainers and he’ll be getting in shape and all that,” Carroll said. “What I’ve talked to Josh about is it’s really important that he really busts it right now so that when he does get out, there’s not a lag time of him adapting. He’s gotta get it done now (because) there’s just not much time left.

“He’s gonna work really hard with our guys to make sure he’s running full speed, top speed as long as he can before he ever gets on the field with us so that he can maintain it whenever he gets going because we expect to give him a chance to help us when he’s available.”

Gordon hasn’t played since Dec. 15, 2019, which was his fifth game since coming to the Seahawks from New England on a waiver claim. His season ended when he was suspended indefinitely by the NFL for for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs and substance abuse. The Seahawks re-signed him in September as he sought reinstatement, which was granted on Dec. 3.

Here are a few more personnel updates from the Seahawks.

• Both running back Rashaad Penny and cornerback Quinton Dunbar were designated for return to practice Wednesday. Penny has been on the PUP list all season as he worked his way back from a torn ACL and subsequent surgery that ended his 2019 season last December. Dunbar has missed the past four games while on injured reserve with a knee injury.

Carroll said he was “thrilled” Dunbar was back but was cautious about when he could be ready to return to play. For details on Penny’s situation, read this story from Monday’s edition of 710 ESPN Seattle’s Pete Carroll Show.

• Right tackle Brandon Shell was set to practice Wednesday as he hopes to return from two games out with a high ankle sprain to play against his former team, the New York Jets, on Sunday.

“Brandon’s gonna work today at practice so that’s a good sign,” Carroll said. “We’ll ease him back him. He’s really anxious to get back. Seems like he’s ready to go.”

Related: Jake Heaps on why the Seahawks need Brandon Shell back

• Carroll said in the cases of both defensive back Ryan Neal, who injured his hip in last Sunday’s loss to the Giants, and offensive lineman Jamarco Jones, who has a groin injury, Seattle will have to wait until the end of the week before they know if they will be available for the game against the Jets.

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