NFL players suspended in gambling crackdown

The National Football League has indefinitely suspended three active players for betting on games, while suspending a further two for six games for similar offences.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus and fellow Lions safety player CJ Moore, as well as Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney have all been suspended until at least the conclusion of the 2023 NFL season.

The trio were censured by the league for placing bets on NFL games during the 2022 season and will be able to petition for reinstatement at the end of the 2023 season.

Detroit Lions players Stanley Berryhill and Jameson Williams were also suspended by the league for similar offences and will miss the first six regular games of the 2023 season.

However, the duo will be eligible to participate in all Lions off-season and pre-season activities, including pre-season games.

The NFL has confirmed the suspensions will take effect at the NFL’s annual roster reduction, where teams reduce their player numbers down to 53 players.

“A league review uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way,” the NFL said in a statement confirming the suspensions.

Under current NFL policies, which are reviewed annually, all NFL personnel, including players, are prohibited from engaging in any form of gambling in any club or league facility, including practice facilities.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended in March 2022 until the end of the 2022 NFL season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season, in direct violation of league rules.

Ridley has since returned to the NFL after applying for reinstatement when his mandatory suspension period ended.