Wide receiver Josh Gordon is expected to be ready to come off injured reserve within two weeks, at which point the New England Patriots will release him, ESPN reported Saturday.
If he is released after the trade deadline on Tuesday, Gordon would be placed on waivers and could be claimed by another team and play right away.
Gordon, 28, had been battling bone bruises in his left knee, then sustained further injury on Oct. 10 against the New York Giants.
He did not play Monday night against the New York Jets, and the Patriots acquired Mohamed Sanu from the Atlanta Falcons for a second-round draft pick on Tuesday.
Gordon had 20 receptions for 287 yards and one touchdown in 2019.