Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon has been suspended for at least one year by the National Football League after his latest substance-abuse policy violation, the team said on Tuesday.
It was the second year in a row that Gordon was issued such a ban, although the first ban for the 2014 season was eventually trimmed to only 10 of 16 games.
The Browns were "disappointed to once again be at this point," the club said in a statement.
Gordon has said his latest positive test came after he drank two beers and two other drinks in a private flight with teammates to Las Vegas last month, five days after the Browns' season ended.
Gordon said it was the first time he consumed alcohol since being charged with drink driving last July 5.
His reinstatement deal for this past season required Gordon to abstain from drinking alcohol for the remainder of the NFL season and to undergo drug and alcohol testing.
"Throughout his career we have tried to assist him in getting support like we would with any member of our organization," Browns general manager Ray Farmer said. "Unfortunately our efforts have not resonated with him.
"It is evident that Josh needs to make some substantial strides to live up to the positive culture we are trying to build this football team upon.
"Our hope is that this suspension affords Josh the opportunity to gain some clarity in determining what he wants to accomplish moving forward and if he wants a career in the National Football League."
Gordon, 23, will be banned from the Browns team facility for the length of his suspension. Gordon said he does not have an alcohol problem and has not smoked marijuana since joining the Browns in 2012.
The 10-game ban last season included two games for the drunk driving charge and eight games for a positive marijuana test Gordon said came from inadvertently inhaling second-hand marijuana smoke.
Gordon said he thought the end of the season marked the end of his NFL-imposed restriction against drinking alcohol.
Gordon led the NFL in 2013 with 1,646 receiving yards on 87 catches despite missing the first two games of the campaign due to a substance abuse suspension. In five games this past season, he made 24 catches for 303 yards.
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