The NFL has reinstated five of six eligible players suspended in 2023 for violating the league’s gambling policy.
America’s most popular sports league has reinstated Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney along with wide receiver Quintez Cephus, defensive end Rashod Berry, safety C.J. Moore, and defensive end Demetrius Taylor, who are all free agents.
Moore and Cephus were handed suspensions in 2023 as members of the Detroit Lions and were subsequently released by the team, while Taylor was a free agent during his penalty.
Berry, who signed with the Indianapolis Colts last year, was one of two Colts players to be suspended in 2023 for violating the NFL’s gambling policy. The NFL’s policy prohibits gambling on league games and also restricts wagering from league and team facilities.
Former Colts defensive back Isaiah Rodgers wasn’t reinstated following his indefinite suspension by the league last year. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the NFL is reviewing Rodgers’ situation following allegations of placing approximately 100 wagers with an online sportsbook under an associate’s name. The 26-year-old allegedly wagered on Colts games with bets ranging between $25 and $50. Rodgers also allegedly placed a $1,000 prop bet on the over/under rushing yards of an unnamed Colts player.
Denver Broncos defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike was also handed an indefinite suspension in 2023, making him the 11th NFL player of the post-PASPA to be sanctioned.
Uwazurike, who allegedly bet on NFL games in 2022, can petition for reinstatement in July.
NFL makes gambling changes
In September 2023, the NFL revised its gambling rules after criticism that its policy lacked clarity and offered excessive punishments. Changes to the league’s policy included suspending players for two games on the first offense of wagering at team facilities, down from a six-game suspension. Second-time offenders are required to sit six games.
Additional revisions include suspending a player for one year for wagering on NFL games not involving their team while betting on your team requires a two-year suspension.
