Patriots reportedly release Josh Gordon off injured reserve as waiver wire looms

Josh Gordon’s time on injured reserve is over after eight days.

The New England Patriots are releasing the wide receiver from IR, ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported Thursday.

Gordon, a vested veteran, will be subject to the NFL’s waiver system with the trade deadline now passed. Gordon is eligible to be claimed on Friday, and the 6-foot-3, 225-pound wideout will become an unrestricted free agent if he clears the league’s waiver priorities.

New England placed Gordon on IR on Oct. 23, shortly after acquiring Mohamed Sanu from the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2020 second-round draft choice. Gordon, who had reportedly been dealing with a pair of bone bruises in his left knee, was a present non-participant during practice earlier that afternoon.

Gordon’s last catch in a Patriots uniform arrived in a 35-14 win over the New York Giants in Week 6. The 28-year-old exited the game after attempting to recover a fumble and did not return.

Gordon caught 20 passes for 287 yards and one touchdown through six starts for New England this fall. The former Cleveland Browns first-team All-Pro had been tendered at the original-round restricted level of $2.025 million entering 2019.

New England’s current receiver depth chart includes Sanu, Julian Edelman, Phillip Dorsett, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski and captain Matthew Slater.

Rookie first-round pick N’Keal Harry, who resumed practicing midway through the month, can be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s 8:20 p.m. ET matchup with the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Harry’s 21-day designation window expires on Nov. 5.