The headliner of four Detroit Lions who drew suspensions for violating the NFL's gambling policy was about a year ago was clearly wide receiver Jameson Williams. But two of the others, safety C.J. Moore and wide receiver Quintez Cephus, received indefinite suspensions and were released immediately. The indefinite suspensions came from betting on NFL games, which is a clear violation of the league's gambling policy.
The league acknowledged an issue with how they communicated the rules of the gambling policy when Williams was one of two players who had their suspension reduced early last season.
According to multiple reports on Thursday afternoon, Moore and Cephus are among five players who have been reinstated after being suspended indefinitely. They, and the other three players-defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor, defensive end Shaka Toney and linebacker Rashod Berry-are now free to sign with any team.
Taylor and Berry have also spent time with the Lions, but they were not on the team when they were suspended.
Will the Lions bring back C.J. Moore or Quintez Cephus?
The Lions don't seem like a team that will give second chances easily when it comes to things like suspensions, of any sort. But Cephus was derailed by injuries at times after being a fifth-round pick in 2020, and he should have plenty of tread left on the tires at 26 years old.
Moore landed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He made the 53-man roster and was a core special teamer in all four of his seasons, ranking top-five on the team in special teams snaps each year. He was clearly highly valued by the team, signing a two-year contract extension about a month before his gambling suspension came down. The Lions also look a little thin at safety right now.
It seems likely the Lions will consider bringing Moore back, while Cephus is far more of a question mark. It will depend on what (if any) other options each has.