NFL Reinstates Ex-Lions WR Quintez Cephus, More After Indefinite Gambling Suspensions

The NFL is reinstating five players who had been suspended indefinitely for violating the league’s gambling policy, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Four of the players are free agents: ex-Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus, safety C.J. Moore and defensive lineman Demetrius Taylor as well as Indianapolis Colts linebacker Rashod Berry. Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney, the fifth reinstated player, remains with the team.

Cephus and Moore were released after news of the suspensions broke, as was Berry. The Lions had cut Taylor before the start of 2023 rookie minicamp.

In April 2023, Cephus, Moore and Toney were suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games in the 2022 season. Two months later, Berry and Taylor received the same punishments for the same reason. All five players were allowed to seek reinstatement following the 2023 campaign.

The NFL announced amendments to its gambling policy in September 2023, per the Associated Press. Players caught betting on their own teams would be suspended for two seasons, while players gambling on any other NFL game would sit for one year.

“We periodically review the NFL Gambling Policy to ensure that it is responsive to changing circumstances and fully addresses our commitment to protect the integrity of the game,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a memo to league teams. “… The revised gambling policy that we are issuing today provides that clarity and focus, and gives clear guidance to players about the consequences of violating the policy.”

The five aforementioned players were suspended for a year under the old policy. There’s also a notable omission from that list in ex-Colts (and now Philadelphia Eagles) cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr.

ESPN’s Tim MacManus wrote this at the time regarding the allegations leading to Rodgers’ suspension.

“Sources familiar with the activity on the online sportsbook account used by Rodgers told ESPN’s David Purdum in June that upward of 100 bets were placed, including at least one wager on a game involving the Colts.

“A source told ESPN that friends of Rodgers, who were in Florida, encouraged him to place many of the wagers, the majority of which were in the $25-$50 range. Legal sports betting was not available in Florida this past football season. The largest wager placed through the account was a $1,000 prop bet on the over/under on rushing yards by a Colts running back, which won.”

His reinstatement wasn’t announced with the rest of that group, although the Eagles notably signed him last August and placed him on the reserve/suspended list, presumably in hopes of getting him back in 2024.

Around the time news broke of the reinstatements, Rodgers released this on X:

It remains to be seen whether Rodgers will be reinstated as well, but we do know that five players are eligible again following the latest league news Thursday.