The NFL suspended five players, including 2022 first-round pick Jameson Williams, for violating the league’s gambling policy.

Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore have been suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games. Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney was also suspended indefinitely. The minimum for an indefinite suspension is at least one year.

In a corresponding move, the Lions released Cephus and Moore.

Second-year receivers Williams and Stanley Berryhill received only six-game suspensions. The differential between the two punishments is that Williams and Berryhill placed online wagers on non-NFL games inside the Lion’s training facility.

Here is what what executive vice president and general manager Brad Holmes had to say.

“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,” Holmes said. “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 Cephus and C.J. Moore 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.”

For Williams, the most notable name given a suspension, this is devastating. After tearing his ACL in the College Football National Championship game prior to being picked, he was forced to miss the first 12 games of his rookie season. Now, Williams is set to miss the first six games of his sophomore season.

Williams representation, Alliance Sports, released the following statement.

“Jameson takes full responsibility for his actions and is very apologetic to the NFL, his teammates and the fans and city of Detroit,” the statement read. “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.”

Williams and Berryhill will be eligible to return in Week 7. For the first three weeks of their suspension, they will not be allowed at team facilities. For the final three weeks, they are permitted to return for strength and conditioning.

Cephus, drafted in the fifth-round of the 2020 NFL Draft, appeared in just 22 games for the Lions. Moore joined the Lions a year prior as an un-drafted free agent and appeared in 56 games.

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