Fifth Detroit Lions player under investigation for gambling

There is yet another player on the Detroit Lions who is under investigation for violating the NFL’s gambling policy, according to The Athletic.

Back in April, the Detroit Lions had four players suspended by the NFL for violating the gambling policy. Wide receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill were suspended six games for betting on non-NFL games at the Lions’ facility. Meanwhile, safety C.J. Moore and wide receiver Quintez Cephus were suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games, forcing them to miss the 2023 season at minimum. Detroit waived Berryhill, Moore, and Cephus afterward, with Williams being the lone remaining suspended player on the team.

Do the Lions need to brace for another punishment to one of their players?

According to Kalyn Kahler of The Athletic, the NFL is investigating another Lions player for potentially violating the gambling policy. The Athletic didn’t name the player since the investigation is ongoing, but what was revealed was that it “was not a prominent member of the 2022 team.” The player in question has yet to receive an interview with the NFL’s investigator, per Kahler.

NFL investigating another Lions player for potential gambling violation

Besides the Lions, there was another player who was suspended in the initial wave of punishments for gambling in Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney, who received an indefinite ban for betting on NFL games. Much like Cephus and Moore, Toney can apply for reinstatement after a minimum of one season.

Williams spoke with reporters after Lions organized team activities this past week, and commented on his suspension. He said that he “wasn’t aware” of the policy until he was informed of his suspension. Williams said he wouldn’t appeal the league’s punishment, which makes him eligible to return in Week 7.

“It hit me out of the blue, and it hit a couple other players around the league and on my team out of the blue,” Williams said, h/t the Detroit Free Press. “I wasn’t aware of this situation, but as it happened, like I said, I took it on the chin, I was ready to move forward as things moved on and I got the consequences, so that’s been my whole plan moving forward from things and just looking at the better days.”

This latest investigation into a Lions player comes as the league’s “second wave of potential violations of its gambling policy,” according to ESPN.

Again, it’s not currently known if there is going to be a definitive punishment for the Lions player in question. But, it is something to keep an eye on this offseason.