Josh Gordon, who joined the New England Patriots in 2018 but played for less than one season, has formally applied for reinstatement with the NFL, according to Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams.

In December 2018, Gordon was indefinitely suspended by the league after violating the terms of his most recent reinstatement. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Gordon "had multiple violations of the drug policy and it was more than marijuana."

Before the suspension, Gordon was doing well with the Patriots. In the 11 games he played, he caught 40 passes for 720 yards and claimed three touchdowns. More importantly, Gordon and Tom Brady were building better chemistry. In June, though there was no guarantee that Gordon could return to the field, Brady was training with him privately. Brady had had previously only done so with guys like Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski.

"There (weren't) many opportunities, but he was around and I needed someone to catch. I’ve always enjoyed playing with him and obviously, hope everything works out for him and I’m hoping the best, certainly," said Brady.

The Patriots wanted Gordon to come back too. Though he was suspended, the team did not get rid of him and, instead, gave him a championship ring after winning Super Bowl LIII and brought him back as a restricted free agent.

If the league allows Gordon to come back, it will be a huge fillip for the Patriots. Since Gronkowski retired in March, the team has taken a big hit in the wideout position. Selecting N'Keal Harry in the 2019 NFL Draft could be a good move but the rookie is far from being able to fill an absence like that.

By contrast, Gordon is one of the league's best wide receivers when he is under normal conditions. Remember, this is a guy who got 1,646 yards in 87 receptions and claimed nine touchdowns in 2013.