After narrowly missing the playoffs, the Detroit Lions had high hopes this summer. They are NFC North favorites.
However, other Lions and NFL players were suspended for gambling violations. Wide receiver and 2022 first-round pick Jameson Williams will miss the tea's first six games.
After Thursday's practice, reporters questioned Williams about his suspension as the Lions began OTAs. According to Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett, the wide receiver answered all suspension questions and didn't cut his session short.
Williams stated he was "sick" and "wasn't aware" of the league's gambling policy, as Birkett tweeted.
"It hit me and a couple other players around the league and on my team out of the blue," Williams told 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 better days."
The wide receiver didn't appeal the suspension because he wanted to move on. Williams told reporters, "I'm not a gambler, I'm a football player."
Williams and fellow wide receiver Stanley Berryhill were punished six games for betting at the team's facility on non-NFL games, while safety C.J. Moore and wideout Quintez Cephus were suspended indefinitely for NFL betting. Team waived Berryhill, Moore, and Cephus.
Cincinnati's 2023 left tackle is Brown. The second-year wideout can practice and play preseason, but he must serve his suspension throughout the regular season. Week 7 versus the Baltimore Ravens (Oct. 22) is his season debut.