CFL not an option for Josh Gordon

Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon is not eligible to play in the Canadian Football League while he is under a season-long NFL suspension, the CFL and an NFL source say.

Sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen earlier Thursday that Gordon would explore the possibility of playing in the CFL for the remainder of its season, but an NFL source told ESPN's Pat McManamon that provisions in his Browns contract would prevent him from doing so.

A CFL official said that, under its rules, Gordon would not be eligible to play because teams are prohibited from signing a suspended player of any league who is under contract with his league.

The NFL announced Wednesday that arbitrator Harold Henderson upheld Gordon's 2014 season suspension for a failed test for marijuana. Gordon is a repeat offender of the NFL's substance abuse policy. The Pro Bowler had appealed the ruling and met with Henderson and other league officials in New York on Aug. 4.

During his suspension, Gordon is not allowed to practice with the Browns, attend team meetings or other club functions. He is under the NFL's treatment program, which would include counseling and random drug testing.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Thursday that Gordon's legal team is pursuing all of its legal options over his suspension. An NFL source told the paper Gordon has no case because the collective bargaining agreement trumps any involvement by the courts.