On March 1, 2017, Gordon again applied to the league for reinstatement, but was denied on May 11, 2017. On November 1, Gordon was finally reinstated, but on a conditional basis, meaning that he would be eligible to return in Week 13. He was officially activated off the Commissioner's Exempt list on November 30, 2017 for the Browns' Week 13 game against the Chargers. After nearly three years of being out of football, Gordon finally made his way back to the game in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He finished the game with 85 receiving yards as the Browns lost 10–19. On December 10, 2017, while playing the Packers, Gordon scored his first touchdown since the 2013 season.