Browns’ Gordon reports, hearing looms

Josh Gordon’s off-field issues didn’t put him out of shape.

The embattled Pro Bowl wide receiver reported to the Cleveland Browns’ training camp on Friday and passed his conditioning test as he awaits an appeal hearing with the NFL on a possible suspension.

Gordon is scheduled to meet with the league on Aug. 1. He’s facing a one-year ban for violating the substance abuse policy for at least the third time. Gordon was suspended for the first two games last season, but still led the league with 1,646 yards receiving and scored nine touchdowns.

He entered the league with a history of marijuana abuse after failing two drug tests in college. Gordon reportedly entered a rehab clinic following a recent DUI arrest in Raleigh, North Carolina, and spent two weeks at a clinic in California.

Looking fit and fast, Gordon participated with Cleveland’s other veterans in the grueling conditioning test.

Bucs, Nicks part ways

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are moving on without injured offensive lineman Carl Nicks, who appeared in just nine games over two seasons after signing a five-year, $47.5 million contract in free agency.

In a brief statement released on the opening day of training camp, the Bucs and the two-time Pro Bowl guard “mutually agreed” to sever ties Friday.

Nicks, 29, didn’t miss a game in four seasons with New Orleans, however a left toe injury two years ago and the recurrence of a MRSA infection in 2013 kept him off the field for most of his stay with the Bucs.

Nicks said that stepping away from football was “by no means an easy decision,” but he thinks it’s best for him, his family and the Bucs.

His departure leaves new coach Lovie Smith with an additional spot to fill on an offensive line that’s been overhauled since the end of last season.

No swimming allowed

The Jacksonville Jaguars are closing their much-ballyhooed pools for one game this season.

The Jaguars will shut down both pools in the north end zone and the eight surrounding cabanas for their Oct. 26 game against Miami.

The Jaguars made the decision to facilitate the annual Florida-Georgia game, which will be played Nov. 1 at EverBank Field. The six-day turnaround between games would have been too close to guarantee installation of 7,000 temporary seats in the north end zone.

McClain convicted

A judge in Decatur, Alabama, convicted Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct in his hometown and imposed an 18-day jail term that could interrupt the player’s bid to restart his career.

McClain was accused of yelling an obscenity at police trying to arrest him during a disturbance in a crowded city park in 2013.

The Cowboys acquired the rights to McClain from Baltimore on July 1. He was the eighth overall pick by Oakland in 2010 but hasn’t played since 2012.