The NFL announced penalties Thursday for four players who violated the league’s gambling rules.
Isaiah Rodgers, a cornerback who started nine games last season, and Rashod Berry, a reserve tight end, of the Indianapolis Colts and free agent defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor, who played one game in last season for the Detroit Lions, was suspended for at least one year for betting on NFL games in the 2022 season.
Nicholas Petit-Frere, an offensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans, received a six-game suspension for betting on other sports while at the team’s facility. He was allowed to participate in training camp and preseason practices and games.
An NFL spokesman declined to comment on the details of the investigation and how the league discovered the players’ violations.
Shortly after the NFL announced the suspensions, the Colts released Rodgers and Berry.
“The integrity of the game is paramount,” Chris Ballard, the Colts’ general manager, said in a statement. “As an organization, we will continue to educate our players, coaches and staff on the policies in place and the significant consequences that can occur for violations.”
The Titans said in a statement that the team is aware of Petit-Frere’s suspension but has not announced further discipline.
“We believe in Nick and know he has a deep respect for the integrity of the game and our organization,” the team said.
A representative for Rodgers declined to comment. Representatives for Taylor, Berry and Petit-Frere did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The sanctions are the second wave of suspensions in a period given in a two-month period. Seven NFL players have received full-time suspensions in the past two years, a period in which pro football and other major sports have accepted legalized betting revenue.
In April, the NFL suspended receiver Quintez Cephus and safety CJ Moore of the Detroit Lions and defensive end Shaka Toney of the Washington Commanders indefinitely after a league investigation found they had bet of football games during the 2022 season. As with the most recent suspensions, all are eligible to apply for reinstatement at the end of the 2023 season.
Two other Lions players, receivers Stanley Berryhill and Jameson Williams, were each docked six games for gambling violations, which the team said included betting from a NFL facilities at other sporting events.
Receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for one season in March 2022 after betting on football games while he was away from the Atlanta Falcons to focus on his mental health. He returned a year ago and is expected to make his debut with the Jacksonville Jaguars in September.
League policies prohibit personnel from placing or facilitating bets on any NFL game, practice or other event, such as the draft. Players are allowed to bet on other sports, but cannot gamble at work or while working, which includes traveling to games or while making promotional appearances for the league.
In a conference call with reporters in June, Jeff Miller, the vice president of the N.FL. for communications, public affairs and policy, details the league’s efforts to educate players on gambling policy. Rookies are required to attend rules sessions, and N.FL. officials visit teams to promote betting regulations.