Jameson Williams, one of four Lions, and the Washington DE were suspended for gambling

Following a league investigation, five players were punished for breaking the NFL’s gambling rules, including four Lions players and 2022 first-round pick Jameson Williams.

Quintez Cephus, a wide receiver for the Lions, and C.J. Moore, a safety, together with Shaka Toney, a defensive end for the Washington Commanders, were all given indefinite suspensions for placing bets on NFL games. After a year, they may petition for reinstatement, notwithstanding Detroit’s announcement that its two players had been discharged.

Williams and Stanley Berryhill, both wide receivers in their second seasons, will miss six games apiece due to mobile betting that took place at the Lions’ Allen Park facility. According to the team, these two didn’t wager on NFL games.

In its release, the NFL stated that it had not found any proof that any insider knowledge had been exploited or that any game had been tainted by player wagering.

Before the NFL made a decision, the Lions were made aware of the investigation around a month ago.

The league’s gambling policy had been broken by a couple of our players, according to an NFL investigation, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes stated in a statement. These players made choices that were against our organizational ideals and against league regulations. We have decided to cut ties with Quintez and C.J. right away. We are disappointed in Stanley and Jameson’s decision-making, and we will work with them both to make sure they comprehend the seriousness of these infractions and the league rules going forward.

In addition to these sanctions, a source informed ESPN that other Lions employees from a number of areas were fired last month for breaking the team’s no-gambling policy.

Additionally, the Commanders issued a statement confirming that they were informed of Toney’s suspension.

Since receiving notification, “we have fully cooperated with the NFL’s investigation and support the league’s findings and actions,” the team said. “The NFL League Office should be contacted with any further questions on the matter,” it reads.

NFL players and staff are not permitted to wager on NFL games, the draft, or any other league-related events under any circumstances, according to league regulation. Additionally, they are not permitted to wager when on team business or while traveling.

Alliance Sports, who are Williams’ legal representatives, issued an apology on the wide receiver’s behalf.

Alliance Sports stated that Jameson “takes full responsibility for his actions and is very sorry to the NFL, his teammates, the fans, and the city of Detroit.” “However, it is crucial to remember that Jameson’s infraction was due to a technical restriction involving the actual location in which the online bet was placed — and which would otherwise have been permitted by the NFL outside of the club’s premises, not for betting on football. Jameson looks forward to returning back to his squad as soon as possible and would never purposefully undermine the integrity of the game he so dearly loves.

Williams, who played for Alabama in the 2021 College Football Playoff championship game and was limited to six games as a rookie due to an ACL tear, has generated enthusiasm as he approaches his second season.

Williams showed flashes of his playmaking potential in a limited role for the Lions in 2022 after they traded up to select him at No. 12 overall. On his lone reception in his rookie campaign, Williams scored a 41-yard touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.

Williams recently participated in throwing workouts with numerous Lions teammates and quarterback Jared Goff in California to build rapport. Additionally, he attended this week’s Lions’ voluntarily scheduled offseason practices.

Williams and Berryhill are able to take part in team-organized activities, minicamp, training camp, and the preseason, but they won’t be able to play in regular-season games until Week 7.

Similar to wide receiver Calvin Ridley of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cephus, Moore, and Toney are being punished. For wagers he placed in November 2021 that involved the Atlanta Falcons, the team he was playing for at the time, Ridley was suspended for the 2022 season. The NFL reinstated Ridley this March.