NFL Players Reinstated No Longer Have Jobs
All Five Players Reinstated Last Week Have Been Released
The National Football League reinstated five players suspended in 2023 for gambling infractions last week. The Washington Commanders turned around and released Shaka Toney on Monday. That means all five of the NFL players reinstated have now been released from their NFL teams.
Most of the players were released after their suspensions were announced. The players reinstated were ex-Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus, safety C.J. Moore, and defensive lineman Demetrius Taylor; ex-Colts linebacker Rashod Berry and Toney.
While the five NFL players reinstated are eligible to play somewhere, former Indianapolis defensive back Isaiah Rodgers wasn’t among those reinstated. His suspension is ongoing. Rodgers bet on his own team. The others engaged in wagering on the NFL but not on their teams’ games. The NFL views sports betting violations of this nature less harshly.
At the time of Rodgers’ suspension, betting on one’s team was an automatic one-year suspension. Now it’s two years. The Philadelphia Eagles signed Rodgers after the Colts cut him. But Philadelphia placed him on the team’s suspended list.
“Addressing the current reports, I want to take full responsibility for my actions,” Rodgers wrote on social media after his suspension was announced. “I know I have made mistakes and I am willing to do whatever it takes to repair the situation. 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 this.”
What’s Next for Rodgers?
For Rodgers, he has to hope the league will reinstate him before the upcoming season. The Eagles may not be eager to keep him around if he has to sit out another full season. Most of the bets were small, in the $25 to $50 range. There was one $1,000 wager on teammate Jonathan Taylor going over a rushing yards prop bet. He stated that he made the wagers for friends and family in Florida, where sports betting was illegal at the time.
“That report is true, with it being $1,000, but that report wasn’t made from my device,” Rodgers told ESPN. “The $25 to $50 bets are exactly true, but it was more crazy-leg parlays with just $25 trying to make a crazy amount. Just funny bets. Nothing too serious. It was never, ‘This bet here is going to change my life.'”
Rodgers’ NFL player stats aren’t bad. He played in 45 games over three seasons for the Colts. Rodgers can also return kicks. He clocked 4.28 seconds in the 40, so he has great speed.
The returner also placed bets while at a Colts facility, which is prohibited. This usually translates into a four or six-game suspension and adds to his troubles.
The NFL players reinstated are going to have to lobby NFL teams for another chance. Some may get one, others may not. It will all come down to talent. NFL executives are willing to overlook a lot if a player can help a team.
Sports betting trends are showing a big uptick, so the problem is going to go away for the NFL. It can only keep educating players and hope they make the right decisions.
For gambling news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
