The NFL and NFLPA are nearing an agreement on their new drug protocol that would result in the reinstatement of 20 players, and reduce sentences for the likes of the Browns’ Josh Gordon and former Colt LaVon Brazill.

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter, the policy was tentatively agreed upon last week and that it will be finalized within the next 24 hours.

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“Upon agreement of the term sheet for the new drug policy, Broncos receiver Wes Welker, Rams receiver Stedman Bailey, Cowboys defensive back Orlando Scandrick, Giants lineman Eric Herman and former Vikings defensive end Spencer Nealy will be reinstated, sources tell Mortensen and Schefter.

Josh Gordon and former Colt LaVon Brazill will have their season-long suspensions reduced to 10 games. Gordon continues to be allowed to work out at the Browns' training facility.

Those seven names are part of the estimated 20 who will be affected by the new policy once it is approved by the NFL. Those other players' names will remain confidential under the policy. The players are not being reinstated but moved into different stages of the program based on retroactive adjustments.”

The new drug policy will have human growth hormone testing for the first time in league history and will also increase the threshold for positive marijuana tests. There will also be a mandatory two-game suspension for any player, owner or coach that is arrested for DUI. The league proposed the suspension be effective immediately, but the league shot down that idea.

Wes Welker will be available for the Broncos this coming weekend and Gordon is set to return after another eight games on the shelf. Gordon’s suspension will be increased to 12 games if he is convicted of a DUI in November.

[ESPN]

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