The NFL made a significant move on Thursday regarding the future of Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney, former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Rashod Berry and three former members of the Detroit Lions.
Berry and free agent defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor were two of three players suspended indefinitely on June 29, along with former Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers. Former Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was also handed down a suspension that day, though his was only for the first six games of the 2023 season.
Toney, safety C.J. Moore and wideout Quintez Cephus were among five players punished for sports betting on April 21 of last year. Moore and Cephus joined former Lions teammates in wide receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill to be suspended that day, making it a particularly bad day for Detroit.
Rodgers was waived by Indianapolis following his suspension but signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in August. He didn’t appear in any games for the Eagles in 2023.
While Cephus and Moore were suspended indefinitely for their actions, Berryhill and Williams were docked six games. The former was released less than one month later.
Williams and Berryhill saw their bans lifted after just four games when the NFL adjusted its gambling policy.
Following the suspension and a rough training camp, the former Alabama standout contributed to Detroit’s loaded offense with 24 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns on 42 targets across 12 regular-season games.
Williams added six catches for 79 yards and one score in three playoff games over the winter as the Lions made a surprising run to the NFC Championship game.
Two months after his release, Berryhill signed with the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks in December. He signed with the Canadian Football League’s BC Lions in mid-January.