The NFL suspended Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley indefinitely on March 7, 2022, for betting on league games.

The NFL reinstated the former Alabama standout, now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, on March 6. But on April 21, the NFL suspended five more players for violating the league’s gambling policy. C.J. Moore and Quintez Cephus of the Detroit Lions and Shaka Toney of the Washington Commanders received indefinite suspensions, and the Lions’ Jameson Williams, another former Alabama receiver, and Stanley Berryhill got banned for six games.

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And on Wednesday, ESPN reported the gambling suspensions aren’t over, with the NFL expected to discipline another “handful” of players this week, including Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers.

Rodgers previously acknowledged he was the target of an NFL gambling probe.

“Addressing the current reports, I want to take full responsibility for my actions,” Rodgers said via his Twitter account. “I know I have made mistakes, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to repair the situation. The last thing I ever wanted to do was to be a distraction to the Colts organization, my coaches and my teammates. I’ve let people down that I care about. I made an error in judgment, and I am going to work hard to make sure that those mistakes are rectified through this process. It’s an honor to play in the NFL, and I have never taken that lightly. I am very sorry for all of us.”

The outbreak of suspensions after the league had one in the 37 years before Ridley was punished has prompted questions about the effectiveness of the NFL’s gambling education programs. Williams and Berryhill weren’t suspended for betting on NFL games, but for placing bets while at the Lions’ practice facility. The NFL’s gambling policy prohibits anyone in the league from engaging in any form of gambling in any club or NFL facility or venue.

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the organization has gone over the league’s gambling rules with players.

“We’ve seen the penalties that have come down on some of these players,” Ryans said. “I’ve met with our players, and we discussed the gambling. We wanted to make sure they understand the gambling policy – what we can and cannot do – as players and also as employees of the NFL.

“I tell guys it’s best just to stay away from it. What are gaining gambling on games versus what do you stand to lose with your NFL career? It’s not worth it. My advice to our guys is just stay away from it. You got nothing to gain.”

Last week, the NFL tried to distill its gambling policy into six rules for players to remember. Those rules were:

· Don’t bet on the NFL.

· Don’t gamble at your team facility, while traveling for a road game or staying at a team hotel.

· Don’t have someone bet for you.

· Don’t share team “inside information.”

· Don’t enter a sportsbook during the NFL playing season.

· Don’t play daily fantasy football.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.