© Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus takes the field for practice during the first day of training camp July 27, 2022 in Allen Park.
Former Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Quintez Cephus has been released by the Detroit Lions and suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating the league’s gambling policy. Cephus was one of five players disciplined and one of three given the indefinite suspension — a punishment handed out after it was learned that the trio placed bets on NFL games during the 2022 season.
Cephus and the other two players (teammate C.J. Moore, also released by the Lions, and Washington’s Shaka Toney) are eligible for reinstatement at the conclusion of the league year.
Jameson Williams, a first-round draft choice by Detroit in 2022, and another Lions receiver, Stanley Berryhill, were given six-game suspensions for betting from an NFL facility on non-NFL games.
Get daily updates on the Packers during the season.
“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,” Lions general manager Brad Holmes said in a statement. “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 and C.J. 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.”
Cephus played in four games last year for the Lions before going on injured reserve with a foot injury, capping his third season with the team after the franchise selected him in the fifth round in 2020. The 25-year-old had a phenomenal junior season with the Badgers in 2019, catching 59 passes for 901 yards with seven touchdowns, including seven catches for 122 yards in the Big Ten Championship Game against Ohio State.
It was a high-profile season for Cephus; he did not play in 2018 while facing two counts of sexual assault. A jury found Cephus not guilty of those charges.
UW had suspended Cephus from the football team and expelled him from the university, prompting a lawsuit against the school for the disciplinary action, and another lawsuit filed by Cephus’ accuser was dismissed in 2022.
More: Lawyers accuse UW of ‘slow walking’ decision on whether to allow Quintez Cephus return to school
More: Alleged victim’s lawyer rebuts claim her father made racist rant about UW wide receiver Cephus
In the NFL, Cephus has four career touchdowns.
The league said a review found no evidence that inside information was used and or that the game was “compromised in any way.”
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley was reinstated this offseason after being suspended for all of 2022 for wagering on NFL games while away from the team to address his mental health. In December, New York Jets wide receivers coach Miles Austin was suspended indefinitely for violating the league’s gambling policy.
Under the policy, coaches — unlike players — are prohibited from gambling on virtually any competition.
Chris Bumbaca of USA Today contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former UW receiver Quintez Cephus suspended by NFL indefinitely for gambling