Patriots Rookie WR N'Keal Harry Believed to Have Changed Number to Show Solidarity With Josh Gordon

It seems that players on the Patriots are just as eager to get former teammate Josh Gordon back as the fans are.

Even Pats' rookies are pulling for him to rejoin the team. 2019 first-round draft pick N'Keal Harry, who originally took Gordon's No. 10, changed numbers and took No. 8, in a gesture that is believed to show solidarity for Gordon in his effort to be reinstated.

While Harry's current number isn't eligible for wide receivers during the regular season, it certainly shows that he and the Patriots have high hopes that Gordon will make another return to the NFL.

Gordon applied for reinstatement in early August. He was suspended from the league last year for violating the terms of his initial reinstatement.

Problems off of the field have plagued him for the majority of his career. He led the league with 1,646 receiving yards in 2013. He was suspended for 10 games in 2014, and he ended up missing all of the 2015 and 2016 seasons after he was barred from the league for violating the substance abuse policy.

But he found a home in New England after the Browns traded him last year, amassing 720 yards and three touchdowns while playing alongside Tom Brady before once again being suspended.

Gordon has had plenty of chances to get his act together in the NFL, so it still feels like a long shot that he'll make it back.

But it's encouraging to see a rookie wideout, who would stand to lose offensive opportunities if Gordon returned, willing to sacrifice his digits for his troubled teammate.

Now we'll have to wait and see if Gordon is given another shot in the league.