Josh Gordon ‘officially signed’ to 53-man roster, to play vs. Bills, per reports [UPDATED]

It is happening.

Reports from NFL Network say that the Kansas City Chiefs have officially signed wide receiver Josh Gordon to the 53-man roster from their practice squad. ESPN confirmed the report.

UPDATE 3:10 p.m. According to a report from Aaron Wilson, the Chiefs are also placing rookie defensive end Joshua Kaindoh on the Reserve/Injured list.

This would give the Chiefs the roster spot they need to promote Gordon to the active roster.

It is noted that Gordon, 30, is expected to make his Chiefs debut against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football. The Chiefs officially signed Gordon to the practice squad on September 28, and the initial reports on the signee would be that it would take a few weeks on the practice squad for him to become accustomed to the Andy Reid playbook while getting into football shape.

The thought process on it taking multiple weeks changed after the Chiefs coaching and personnel staffs had an opportunity to watch Gordon work leading up to the team’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

That was outlined in an NFL Network report that broke on Sunday.

A low-risk signing, Gordon could pay off quickly. He was described looking like a No. 1 receiver, 230 pounds and fast. One source said you would never know he’s 30. He has really flashed in practice.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid provided somewhat of an update during his Zoom press conference on Monday.

“I’m just going to see how he does this week,” said Reid as it pertained to Gordon. “And talk to him. I haven’t talked to him [Monday], but we’ll just see where he’s at and how he’s feeling. There’s a chance, but there’s a chance that he’s not, also. So I’m just going to play it by ear and see how he feels. Really, it’s more of a comfort thing with the offense. I don’t want to put him in a bad situation out there.”

The chat with the head coach must have gone well.

Starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes already had an opportunity to discuss the Gordon signing last Wednesday.

“He’s a big receiver,” said Mahomes. “He’s going to be a guy that even if he’s covered, he’s not covered, you can kind of throw it up there and he can make plays, but I’m excited to get to work with him. I’ve talked to him a little bit here now and he seems like a great dude that wants to come and work so we’ll see as he gets out here on the practice field how he can help us as an offense.”

Later in the week, safety Tyrann Mathieu said that Gordon kind of reminded him of Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub also assured media and fans that he would not be partaking in the game’s third phase.

“I talked to him [Wednesday], I said, ‘You can return kicks?’ [Gordon] just started laughing,” Toub said, smiling as he retold the story. “I didn’t ask him if he can recover any kicks, either, but I just think he’s beyond that, to be honest with you. And if he comes in to help us, it’s going to be as a 2 or a 3 receiver, and I think in that role, he won’t be playing special teams. The main thing that he needs to do right now is get up to speed on what we’re doing. Our offense is complicated and there’s a lot to it, so he’s not coming to special teams meetings. He’s doing that.”

Gordon first entered the league as a second-round pick made by the Cleveland Browns in the 2012 Supplemental Draft. His talent has never been a question, but off-the-field issues have seen him suspended by the NFL six times.

The receiver’s next opportunity begins on Sunday as the Chiefs take on the Bills at Arrowhead.