Josh Gordon has been reinstated by Roger Goodell after petitioning for an end to his indefinite suspension for multiple failed drug tests. The talented but troubled Gordon will miss the first four games of the 2016 season as part of his reinstatement.

Let me say this up front -- I want Josh Gordon to prove he's finally clean and matured enough to deserve another chance. There is nothing more frustrating or sad than seeing wasted potential, especially when said potential has such a high ceiling. Gordon has the physical talent to be one of the five best wideouts in football.

We were teased by that potential back in 2013, when Gordon led the NFL in receiving yards and hauled in back-to-back 200-yard outings. His blend of speed, length and strength make him a nightmare for defenses. Watching Gordon play motivated and on the straight and narrow was something fantastic to behold.

Now for the reality slap. Gordon has been suspended for drug abuse enough times to close out an inning. Suspended at Baylor back in 2010. Suspended at Baylor again in 2011. When he tried to transfer to Utah, he failed a drug test there too. Strike out.

He entered the NFL in 2012 but quickly ran afoul of the rules. Suspended two games in 2013 for a failed drug test. Suspended the entire 2014 season for an arrest for driving while impaired, a move which was later reduced to just 10 games on appeal. Instead of capitalizing on his good fortune with the reduced suspension, he got whacked for the final game of 2014 by the Browns for going AWOL, then showing up at practice wearing the wrong jersey. Another strike out.

Gordon was suspended indefinitely for failing a drug test (this time alcohol) while under the care of the NFL's substance abuse policy under the terms of the 2014 suspension. He was eligible to file for reinstatement early in 2016 but failed yet another drug test to push the clock back another few months.

That's eight strikes. Eight.

Forgive my skepticism that Gordon will not make that nine by the end of the calendar year.

I know the Browns organization has gone out of its way to try and help him. Venerable Jim Brown has offered to be a mentor. Cleveland has painstakingly worked to create a safe environment conducive to helping Gordon get -- and stay -- clean for the long term. For an organization that tried and failed to do the same with similarly troubled Johnny Manziel, the Browns have some practical experience and legitimately hope it works this time around.

I just wouldn't bet on it. In my eyes, the four-week suspension is just four more weeks for Gordon to earn that ninth strike. Until he proves differently, Gordon must be treated as the irresponsible drug addict he's proven to be time and again.

Hopefully it's different for Gordon and the Browns this time. Maybe the year off and seeing his old friend Manziel's descending spiral is the wake-up call the 25-year-old needs. His incredible talent and potential on the football field has given Gordon an unprecedented ninth chance to get his act together in a time where many folks don't even get to see a called third strike. Don't swing and miss again, Josh Gordon.