Josh Gordon to be Released by Cleveland Browns

Josh Gordon's very strange 6 years with the Cleveland Browns have gone up in smoke ... the team just decided to release him.

Browns GM John Dorsey issued a statement Saturday, saying ... "This afternoon we informed Josh Gordon and his representatives that we are going to release him on Monday."

Dorsey added ... "For the past six years the Browns have fully supported and invested in Josh, both personally and professionally and wanted the best for him, but unfortunately we've reached a point where we feel it's best to part ways and move forward. We wish Josh well."

Earlier Saturday, Cleveland ruled Gordon out for Sunday's game against the Saints with a hamstring injury. Josh played week 1 in the tie game against the Steelers, making a single catch for a TD.

It's interesting -- Gordon missed the start of Browns camp as he continued to receive treatment for issues that kept him out of the NFL entirely in 2015 and 2016, but he returned before preseason ended and was expected to be one of their top receivers this year.

It's unclear if there was a major incident that led to the Browns' decision, but it's being reported that he showed up late to the team facility Saturday and was "not himself." Team docs were allegedly concerned he may have been struggling with substance use again.

As we reported ... he's also in the midst of a child support war and could be flirting with jail time if he doesn't get it straightened out