NFL gambling regulations were not known to suspended Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, who claims he broke them.

In ALLEN PARK, Mich., Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams expressed surprise regarding his six-game suspension at the start of the season, citing his lack of awareness regarding the NFL’s gambling policy, which he inadvertently violated.

Williams conveyed to reporters on Thursday that the suspension came as a sudden shock, not only to himself but also to other players both within the league and on his own team.

Previously, the league had suspended former Lions players Quintez Cephus and C.J. Moore, along with Washington’s Shaka Toney, for the entirety of the 2023 season in April for their involvement in betting on NFL games the previous year, while also allowing them the option to seek reinstatement.

Williams, who was the 12th overall pick in the 2022 draft, alongside teammate Stanley Berryhill, faced a six-game suspension for placing bets on non-NFL games within a league facility. Williams emphasized his lack of awareness of the situation, claiming he did not recall the specifics of his bets or where the gambling took place.

The former Alabama standout, who had already endured significant time off during his rookie season due to a knee injury, recounted receiving notification of the suspension just a day before it was officially announced the previous month, leaving him feeling disheartened and dismayed.

While instances of gambling policy violations within the league have been infrequent in recent years, there have been notable cases such as Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley’s suspension for the entire 2022 season for gambling on NFL games, followed by his subsequent reinstatement. Additionally, in 2019, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Josh Shaw faced suspension for gambling on an NFL game and has since been absent from league play.

Lions coach Dan Campbell acknowledged the significance of the league’s emphasis on the matter, stressing the importance of educating players on the rules and consequences surrounding gambling. Despite Williams’ assertion of being unaware of the NFL’s gambling regulations, he took accountability for his actions, acknowledging his violation of league policy and expressing regret for overlooking such important guidelines.

In other team news, the Lions introduced competition at the kicker position by acquiring Riley Patterson from Jacksonville in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2026, possibly to provide additional motivation for or potentially replace Michael Badgley. Additionally, running back David Montgomery and linebacker Malcom Rodriguez both exited Thursday’s practice session with injuries, with Montgomery appearing to sustain a lower left leg injury during a non-contact drill.