While Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was serving his 10-game suspension after a failed drug test, he believes some members of the organization went out of their way to shun him.

Gordon originally was suspended for the entire season after a failed drug test during the summer, but the penalty was reduced after the NFL adopted new policies. He played for the first time Sunday in the Browns’ win over the Atlanta Falcons and had eight catches for 120 yards.

During the suspension, Gordon was around his teammates and allowed to work out at the facility but not with the team.

“The lowest point of all this I think was the disassociation from a lot of friends you thought were close or you thought you were kind of cool with really not checking on you anymore, (not) hitting you up anymore, (not) wanting to hang out,” Gordon told the NFL Network in an interview that will air Sunday.

“As far as even people in here. I don’t want to throw names around, but I can see it. I’m definitely really observant, so I see how people might just be more standoffish as they were before. …

“It’s kind of like a disease. People, they want to see it, but they don’t really want to touch it.”

Browns coach Mike Pettine equated what Gordon was feeling to those faced by a player with an injury.

“I think it’s human nature,” Pettine said. “I see the guys that are … Michael Bowie walking around this building. Or you see Alex Mack. Or you see guys that you know are hurt. They’re kind of here but they’re not here.

“I just think that sometimes it’s hard when you’re involved in it to want to engage them in conversation. Because you know where they are. You know it’s an uncomfortable thing. They’re here, but they’re essentially outside looking in. I can see where he would maybe interpret that in some ways.”