NFL suspends 4 more players for gambling violations
The NFL suspended three players indefinitely on Thursday for betting on league games during the 2022 season.
Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and defensive end Rashod Berry were released by the Indianapolis Colts after the NFL announced their suspensions. The third suspended player, defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor, was not on an NFL roster after playing in one game for the Detroit Lions last season.
The NFL also suspended Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere for the first six games of the 2023 regular season. Petit-Frere, who started 16 games as a rookie last season, was suspended for betting on non-NFL games while at a club 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.
Petit-Frere remains eligible to participate in offseason and preseason activities.
Since the NFL suspended Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley indefinitely on March 7, 2022, for betting on league games, it has suspended nine more players.
The NFL reinstated Ridley, now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, on March 6. The three players who were indefinitely suspended on Thursday can apply for reinstatement after the 2023 season.
On April 21, the NFL suspended five players for violating the league’s gambling policy. C.J. Moore and Quintez Cephus of the Lions and Shaka Toney of the Washington Commanders received indefinite suspensions, and the Lions’ Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill got banned for six games.
“We have made the following roster moves as a consequence of the determination that these players violated the league’s gambling policy,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said in announcing the releases of Berry and Rodgers. “The integrity of the game is of the utmost importance. As an organization we will continue to educate our players, coaches and staff on the policies in place and the significant consequences that may occur with violations.”
In his third NFL season, Rodgers returned 18 kickoffs for a 25.1-yard average and two punts for a 6.5-yard average and played 430 defensive snaps in 15 games.
In his second NFL season, Berry played in five games with the Lions in 2022.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.