Detroit Lions immediately release two players after indefinite suspensions for gambling last season

The NFL announced they have suspended five players for gambling on games in the 2022 season- with punishments set to take effect in the upcoming 2023 season.

According to a league statement, three players have been indefinitely suspended for the 2023 season, as all of them will sit out for the entire year. Those players are wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore of the Detroit Lions as well as Shaka Toney of the Washington Commanders.

In addition, two other Lions players, both of whom are rookies received lighter punishments. Star receiver Jameson Williams and fellow pass catcher Stanley Berryhill were suspended for the first six games of the 2023 season.

After their suspension was announced, the Detroit Lions released Cephus and Moore from the team while also criticizing Williams and Berryhill.

‘As a result of an NFL investigation, it came to our attention that a few of our players had violated the league’s gambling policy,’ Detroit Lions Executive Vice President and General Manager Brad Holmes said in a statement. 

The Lions have released Quintez Cephus (L) & C.J. Moore (R) after their gambling suspensions 

The league also indefinitely suspended Shaka Toney, meaning he’ll miss the 2023 season

In addition, Jameson Williams (L) and Stanley Berryhill (R) have been suspended six games

‘These players exhibited decision making that is not consistent with our organizational values and violates league rules. We have made the decision to part ways with Quintez and C.J. immediately. 

‘We are disappointed by the decision making demonstrated by Stanley and Jameson and will work with both players to ensure they understand the severity of these violations and have clarity on the league rules moving forward.’ 

In the NFL’s statement, they highlighted one part of their gambling policy prohibiting anyone in the league from, ‘engaging in any form of gambling in any club or league facility or venue, including the practice facility.’

The league statement added that a review found, ‘no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way.’

Further reporting from NBC Sports revealed that, ‘several Lions staff members in various departments were fired last month for violating the gambling policy.’

Staff members of NFL teams aren’t allowed to bet on anything related to the league – including games and postseason awards. Like the players, they’re also not allowed to gamble at all while at the team facility or traveling for team business. 

Williams was a star wide receiver at Alabama and was drafted in the first-round despite tearing his ACL in the 2022 CFP National Championship game. He played only four games last season and had one catch – a 41 yard touchdown.

The Lions have also recently fired multiple members of their staff due to gambling infractions

Representation for Williams released a statement on his behalf, saying, ‘Jameson takes full responsibility for his actions and is very apologetic to the NFL, his teammates and the fans and city of Detroit. 

‘However, it is important to note that Jameson’s violation was not for betting on football but rather due to a technical rule regarding the actual location in which the online bet was placed – and which would otherwise be allowed by the NFL outside of the club’s facility. 

‘Jameson would never intentionally jeopardize the integrity of the game he loves so much and looks forward to getting back to his team as soon as possible.’

Cephus was drafted by the Lions in 2020 in the fifth-round after a rocky career at Wisconsin – where he was acquitted on charges of sexual assault and was eventually allowed back in the school.

Across his NFL career, Cephus has racked up 37 catches for 568 yards and four touchdowns across 22 games. 

The remaining two Lions players facing suspensions all went undrafted out of college.

The NFL prohibits players and staff members from placing bets at team facilities

C.J. Moore was signed by the Lions out of Ole Miss in 2019. After being released due to injury, he inked a deal with the Texans before being picked off Houston’s practice squad by Detroit.

Moore recently agreed to a two-year contract extension back in mid-March. For his NFL career, he has 48 total tackles, 29 solo tackles, and one interception in 56 games played.

Stanley Berryhill went undrafted out of Arizona and initially signed with the practice squads of the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals. He was elevated to the first team for one game and then was immediately sent back to the Lions practice squad. Berryhill signed a reserve/futures contract in January.

As for the Commanders’ Shaka Toney, he was a seventh-round pick out of Penn State in 2021. In 26 games over two seasons, Toney has 16 total tackles, six solo tackles and 1.5 sacks.