Photo by OLINDO LONGO Josh Gordon's days with the Patriots appear to be over.

It appears the Josh Gordon saga in New England may be over.

Gordon, the Patriots announced, was placed on injured reserve Wednesday by the New England Patriots due to knee woes he was experiencing and likely aggravated when he was knocked out of the New York Giants game trying to make a tackle.

He missed Monday night’s win over the Jets, and according to the NFL Network, the Patriots don’t plan to keep him after he becomes fully healthy.

Thus the high price the Patriots paid Atlanta for Mohamed Sanu – a second round draft choice – makes more sense as they knew that Gordon was likely not to be healthy enough to finish the season. Even if he was, the Patriots have already used one of their two IR-return designations on receiver N’Keal Harry, and the second one is more likely to be used on second year offensive tackle Isiah Wynn.

Ironically, Gordon was at Wednesday’s Patriots walkthrough as a non-participant but that is probably the last time he’ll be seen in Foxborough. His deal is up at the end of this season, and there are other reports that say Gordon has been rehabbing well enough to come off IR before the season ends and once cleared, he would like to be released so he can finish the season with another team. The Patriots reportedly would have to waive him by rule rather than give him his outright release.

Gordon was suspended by the NFL for his fifth violation of the substance abuse policy late last season – the Patriots acquired him via trade from Cleveland earlier in 2018 – but was cleared by the league for a return in August. He finishes his Patriots season with 20 catches for 287 yards and one touchdown. In his 17 games over two seasons, Gordon had 60 receptions for 1,007 yards and four TDs.

The Patriots now have five receivers: Sanu, Julian Edelman, Phillip Dorsett, and rookies Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski. Harry, who has been practicing with the team, is eligible to be placed on the active roster next week.

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