NFL players coming back from suspension are Charles Omenihu, D'Wayne Eskridge, and Jake Haener. The three players will be able to get on the action in Week 7.
The list of players who missed out on games due to suspension was quite a bit in 2023. There were various infractions that resulted in the suspension of the players.
Jameson Williams, Nicholas Petit-Frere, Alvin Kamara, and Cam Robinson are some of the NFL players on suspension who have already returned to playing football.
A handful of players have been suspended for a longer period as the NFL's gambling policy related to placing NFL-related bets is strong and punishable.
There has been a revised policy on gambling by the NFL and as a result, shortened the penalties for a few players. Let us take a look at the new gambling policy of the NFL.
There will be a two-game suspension if a player is found betting on non-NFL sports while at a team facility or placing bets on team-related travel for a first violation.
The second violation will have a six-game suspension and the third violation will result in at least one full year of suspension.
Any bets made on NFL games will have a minimum suspension of one year and betting on one's own team will have a two-year suspension. Any type of fixing, whether attempted or carried will have a permanent banishment.
Jameson Williams - Detroit Lions
Jameson Williams of the Lions faced an NFL game suspension of six games for violating the NFL's gambling policy and was fined $333,048.
Williams was set to miss out on the first six weeks of the 2023-2024 NFL regular season but had his ban cut short to just four games.
As the NFL revised its gambling policy, his ban was reduced as the NFL reduced the punishment for gambling. As a result, Williams took part in his first full practice session on Tuesday, October 3, and said that he is very excited to be back to playing football.
Williams violated the NFL's gambling policy by placing mobile bets on a college football game that took place in a hotel room. The action happened to be during the team's road trip.
He was also part of the Lions' 42-24 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday during their Week 5 matchup. He had 2 receptions for 2 yards in the game.
Nicholas Petit-Frere - Tennessee Titans
Nicholas Petit-Frere was given a six-game NFL suspension for violating the league's gambling policy and was fined $211,776. His ban was lifted to four games.
Similar to the case of Jameson Williams, Petit-Frere's six-week suspension was also cut short due to the NFL's revised policy regarding gambling.
The situation is the same for both players as Nicholas also placed bets on non-NFL games while present at the Titan's facility. Players are not allowed to place bets while they are still inside the premises.
The offensive tackle had 16 appearances in the 2022 season and all came as a starter. He is yet to feature for the Titans this year.
Stanley Berryhill - Free Agent
Stanley Berryhill was among the four Detroit Lions players who were suspended for having violated the NFL's gambling policy. He was handed a six-game suspension and was fined $290,000.
NFL player suspensions from the Detroit Lions also had Quintez Cephus, C.J. Moore, and Jameson Williams. Berryhill was later released after being suspended.
Although handed a six-week suspension, his ban was reduced by two weeks, and became eligible to participate in all team activities and games starting October 3.
Berryhill was suspended as he too placed bets on college football games while being present at the club's facility just like his former teammate Williams.
Only Jameson Williams was retained by the Lions and let go of all other suspended players including Berryhill who played as a wide receiver.
Alvin Kamara - New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara is among those suspended players NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy serving a three-game ban and a fine of $180,000.
Kamara was handed the suspension for his involvement in a physical altercation that took place in February 2022. The suspension was announced this year on August 4.
A short ban meant that Kamara was eligible to return to the field after September 25 and play the Buccanneers the following week. He has played two games this season and started both and has recorded 33 rushing attempts for 131 yards and 1 TD.
Cam Robinson - Jacksonville Jaguars
NFL players suspended for PEDs policy violations in 2023 is Cam Robinson. He served a four-game ban losing $888,888 for each game he missed due to suspension.
Robinson has already made his return to the starting lineup when he played during the Week 5 game against the Buffalo Bills and helped the Jaguars to a 25-20 win.
He is a veteran and a leader in the Jaguars' locker room and has been a crucial member of the squad. He has started all 76 games he has played in his NFL career.
The offensive tackle's return to the side means there will be more protection for the quarterback Trevor Lawrence's blind side. A huge boost for the Jaguars who are currently 3-2 in the league.
Ronald Jones II - Free Agent
NFL PED list of suspended players in 2023 are:
- Ronald Jones II
- Cam Robinson
- Amani Bledsoe
- Jake Haener
Jones II was only handed a two-game suspension for violating the NFL PED policy on July 31. He was eligible for action after serving his punishment which ended on September 18 but was released by the Cowboys.
The two-time Super Bowl-winning RB (2020, 2022) played just 6 games in 2022. He has been part of 61 games in his NFL career and recorded 2,244 rushing yards and 19 TDs.
What team the 26-year-old running back will be part of is still unknown. He was tried out by the Colts on September 27 and also the Ravens but has not been signed by any of the teams yet.
Ronald Jones II also paid a heavy price for his actions as he was fined $121,388 for the offense.
Chris Lammons - Indianapolis Colts
Chris Lammons was suspended for the first three games of the 2023 season for violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy on August 4. He was also fined $168,333 for his actions.
The reason for the suspension was similar to that of Alvin Kamara. Lammons also played a part in the physical assault of a man in Las Vegas in February 2022.
Lammons had recently signed with the Colts on July 27 and did not make a positive start to his tenure. He was later released by the club on September 25 only to be re-signed to the practice squad.
The Super Bowl-winning cornerback (2022) has played 42 games in his NFL career and has recorded 26 tackles so far.
Charles Omenihu - Kansas City Chiefs
Omenihu too has violated the NFL personal conduct policy and is serving a suspension for six games of the regular season. The defensive lineman has one more game to sit out before being eligible to play.
The Chiefs' Week 7 home game against the Los Angeles Chargers should see the return of Omenihu in the starting lineup. He was signed by the franchise in March 2023 as a crucial part of the title defense.
The Chiefs are 4-1 this season and have won their last four in a row. Omenihu will be looking to come back stronger and help maintain their form.
He had his best season in 2022 after completing 20 combined tackles and 13 assists on tackles. In 61 games, he has 67 combined tackles so far.
Omenihu also paid a heavy price for his mistakes and was fined a huge sum of $360,000.
D'Wayne Eskridge - Seattle Seahawks
In violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy, D'Wayne Eskridge was suspended for the first six games current season. The WR will make his return in Week 7.
The wide receiver's suspension fine amounts to $400,410.
Since being drafted by the Seahawks in 2021, Eskridge has played 10 games each in the last two seasons. He has 17 receptions for 122 yards and 1 TD.
He was arrested in February 2023 following misdemeanor charges and was then handed a suspension on August 4. Eskridge will be available for the Week 7 game on October 22 against the Arizona Cardinals at home.
It is unclear whether he would play right after returning from suspension as he is behind Tyler Lockett in the pecking order and also has Jaxon Smith-Njigba for competition.
NFL Suspended Players
Jake Haener of the New Orleans Saints is another player who will make his return from suspension in Week 7. Haener was suspended after failing a drug test and tested positive for PED.
He was given a suspension of six games for the violation of the NFL's PED policy and decided not to appeal the decision and takes full responsibility.
Haener also let go of $250,000 of his $750,000 rookie base salary as a result of the suspension.
NFL players who are serving lengthy suspensions in 2023 are:
- Isaiah Rodgers - Philadelphia Eagles
- Rashod Berry - Free Agent
- Amani Bledsoe - Free Agent
- Quintez Cephus - Free Agent
- C.J. Moore - Free Agent
- Shaka Toney - Washington Commanders
- Eyioma Uwazurike - Denver Broncos
- Demetrius Taylor - Free Agent
Rodgers was suspended in June 2023 for violating the league's gambling policy. He was suspended for the entire 2023 season and was waived by the Colts. However, the Eagles signed Rodgers in August.
Another player of the Colts who was suspended indefinitely was Rashod Barry. He too violated the gambling policy and was waived by the club.
Cephus who was with the Lions was also suspended for at least one season after he was found guilty of placing bets on NFL games. Lions teammate C.J. Moore was also found guilty of the same violation and was given the same suspension. Both were later released by the franchise.
Shaka Toney was the other NFL member alongside Cephus and Moore to be given a lengthy suspension for violating the gambling policy of the NFL. He has been suspended indefinitely.
Uwazurike also gambled on NFL games and his return date is unknown having been suspended indefinitely. He has not been released by the Broncos.
Demetrius Taylor was handed a suspension for the entirety of the 2023 season for the very same reason. He too violated the league's gambling policy.
Amani Bledsoe has been served a 17-game suspension for the NFL's PED policy violation. This was the second time he had committed the same violation and therefore a lengthy suspension. He was first suspended in February 2022.
