New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick can’t avoid talking about Josh Gordon now. The 27-year-old Gordon appeared at his first practice with the Patriots on Wednesday, though he looked a bit different. Gordon — who has usually worn No. 12 — took the field wearing No. 10. You didn’t think Tom Brady was going to give up his number, did you? The Patriots acquired Gordon from the Cleveland Browns on Monday for a fifth-round pick. Cleveland announced its intention to cut Gordon after he missed Week 2 with a hamstring injury, and the Patriots swooped in to pick up the talented wide receiver. Josh Gordon practiced with the Patriots for the first time Wednesday. (AP Photo) Since the deal, there have been some questions about how Gordon fits in with the team. Gordon’s talent is obvious, but the receiver has dealt with substance-abuse issues in the past. Gordon missed nearly three full seasons due to suspensions. Prior to Gordon showing up at practice, Belichick has been hesitant to speak publicly about the deal even when it was clearly completed. Patriots coach Bill Belichick says that the trade for WR Josh Gordon still not done despite the fact that … * The Patriots announced it Monday. * The Browns announced it Monday. * It appeared on the NFL personnel wire Tuesday. What's left? "The finish of the trade," per Bill. — Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 19, 2018 Now that Gordon is officially a member of the Patriots, questions will shift to whether he’ll play Week 3 against the Detroit Lions. Hamstring injuries have prevented Gordon from seeing a lot of playing time thus far, and the transition to a new team could take some time. While Belichick will have to acknowledge Gordon is around, he’s probably not going to reveal anything more than that. – – – – – – – Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! More from Yahoo Sports: • Meyer’s grim warning to NFL team about Aaron Hernandez • School official sorry for racist remark about Texans QB • New book claims Brady feels ‘trapped’ with Belichick • Red Sox fans make problematic discovery<doc-sep>FOXBORO, Mass. — Wide receiver Josh Gordon still is recovering from the hamstring injury he sustained before Week 2. Gordon, acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Browns on Monday, was limited in his first practice with the New England Patriots. Here’s the Patriots’ full injury report: DID NOT PARTICIPATE SS Patrick Chung (concussion) DE Trey Flowers (concussion) LIMITED PARTICIPATION RT Marcus Cannon (calf) CB Keion Crossen (hamstring) SS Nate Ebner (hip) WR Josh Gordon (hamstring) CB Eric Rowe (groin) FULL PARTICIPATION RB Sony Michel (knee) DE Deatrich Wise (finger) The injuries to Chung, Flowers, Ebner, Rowe and Wise are new this week.<doc-sep>Though he was officially listed as limited with a hamstring injury, reportedly suffered while shooting a promotional video for his “Flash” line of merchandise last week — Gordon didn’t appear limited at all as he ran short burst patterns and caught passes from a staffer. Wearing No. 10 as well as snazzy red gloves and cleats to match, New England’s newest receiver worked out with his teammates for the first time — stretching, jogging, and participating in individual drills during the portion of practice media were allowed to observe. FOXBOROUGH — Josh Gordon didn’t arrive in a flash — his trade wasn’t finalized until early Wednesday afternoon — but he looked a little flashy in his first practice as a Patriot. Advertisement Coach Bill Belichick declined to talk about Gordon before practice, saying there were “terms that have to be met before the trade is finalized.’’ Josh Gordon, wearing No.10, is here at #Patriots practice. Cyrus Jones officially back, too. Trey Flowers and Patrick Chung (concussions) are absent. pic.twitter.com/nAbqcqlrMU — Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) September 19, 2018 The Patriots acquired the dynamic but sometimes disruptive Gordon from the Browns for a fifth-round pick. New England originally was going to receive a seventh-round pick in addition if Gordon didn’t play in 10 games. However, according to NFL Media, the Patriots will now receive that selection regardless of Gordon’s participation level this season and that may have been what held Belichick up from giving his thoughts on his new receiver. Gordon, who was given the locker next to Tom Brady, comes to a club with a strong veteran presence with plenty of teammates to lean on as he tries to acclimate to the New England way of things. “[Between] meetings and the playbook, I think he’s going to have his hands full,’’ said Dont’a Hightower. “Anybody coming in, obviously just being a helping hand and an open ear can help. Whatever he needs, whatever questions he has, obviously we’re all here to help for that.’’ Advertisement Chris Hogan said he “was one of those guys that had a lot of questions” when he arrived, so now he likes to pay the knowledge forward. “If guys have questions, I’m always available,’’ he said. “I always try to help guys when they have questions, big or small . . . So I try to help any way I can and be a leader.’’ Gordon has had his share of off-field transgressions and Hightower was asked if a strong locker room would help him move past his troubled past. “I’m not a counselor or nothing,’’ he said. “We’re teammates, we’re here to help. I’ll leave it at that.’’ Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff Jones is re-signed There was also a familiar face back at practice after the team signed Cyrus Jones off the Ravens’ practice squad to a two-year deal. The cornerback/return specialist had been released on cutdown day and signed with his hometown Ravens shortly afterward. Jones, New England’s second-round selection in 2016, missed all of 2017 with a torn ACL. He was still rehabbing the injury when training camp opened but came on strong over the final two exhibition games, showing the vision, burst, and acceleration he had been known for in college. Belichick lamented the fact that the team wasn’t able to give Jones more chances to show his return abilities during the exhibition season. With the team releasing Kenjon Barner, and Julian Edelman still two weeks from returning from his suspension, Jones could step in immediately as the punt returner Sunday night against the Lions. Advertisement Two missing Defensive end Trey Flowers and safety Patrick Chung were the only players missing from practice. Both suffered concussions during the 31-20 loss in Jacksonville last Sunday. In addition to Gordon, four others were listed as limited: cornerbacks Eric Rowe (groin) and Keion Crossen (hamstring); right tackle Marcus Cannon (calf); and safety Nate Ebner (hip). Running back Sony Michel (knee) and defensive end Deatrich Wise (finger) were full participants. Coleman retained Gordon bumped fellow former Browns receiver Corey Coleman off the Patriots roster but the team brought the former first-rounder back to the practice squad according to NFL Media . . . Hightower was asked if he remembered facing Gordon in 2013 when the receiver had seven catches for 151 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown on a slant route. “He was a monster then,’’ said Hightower. “And he’s still a monster now.’’ The Patriots rallied from a 26-14 deficit with 3:08 to play to win that game, 27-26. Shane Vereen was a monster that day, too. He had 12 catches for 153 yards and a rushing TD . . . Receiver Cody Hollister, who is on the reserve/non-football injury list, made a rare stroll through the locker room . . . Belichick, when asked about Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford’s ability as a downfield passer, said, “As good as there is in football. He does and excellent job of seeing down the field in all situations. He’s extremely dangerous — one of the very best in the league for sure.’’ Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.<doc-sep>
The New England Patriots released their first injury report of week 3 as they prepare to face the Detroit Lions. There aren’t too many surprises, but a new addition could explain why the team decided to add cornerback Cyrus Jones into the mix. Did Not Participate Patriots: S Patrick Chung (concussion), DE Trey Flowers (concussion) Lions: OL Andrew Donnal (knee), CB Darius Slay (concussion) Chung and Flowers are two of the most important Patriots defenders, while Slay is arguably the best defender for the Lions. Concussions are difficult and there’s a very real chance that all three players will miss Sunday’s game. Look for Duron Harmon and Deatrich Wise to increase their roles if Chung and Flowers are unable to play. Limited Participation Patriots: OT Marcus Cannon (calf), CB Keion Crossen (hamstring), S Nate Ebner (hip), WR Josh Gordon (hamstring), CB Eric Rowe (groin) Lions: CB Jamal Agnew (shoulder), DE Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder), OG T.J. Lang (back) There’s a lot to unpack here. Cannon didn’t travel with the team last week, so his health should be monitored. The addition of Eric Rowe to the injury report, along with the continued injury to Crossen, supports the team’s decision to sign Cyrus Jones as another player that can help out in practice, at the very least. Gordon was limited in his very first practice with the team, but don’t read too far into this. Think of it like how the Patriots treat all players coming to training camp with a previous injury- they’re going to make sure they’re 100% ready to contribute before throwing them into the fire. Full Participation Patriots: RB Sony Michel (knee), DE Deatrich Wise (finger) Michel is coming back from his preseason knee injury and made his debut last week. He should be available next week, with the team offering a vote of confidence by releasing Kenjon Barner. Wise injured his finger late in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but should be available to play- even if his finger’s in a splint.