Getty Image / Jeffrey Brown
Just a year after the NFL handed down its most notable gambling suspension in the league’s history, suspensions of this kind have become surprisingly common.
This offseason alone, the league has already handed down 6 indefinite suspension for violations of their gambling policy.
There have also been 3 players that have received 6-game suspensions, including promising 2nd-year receiver Jameson Williams and starting Titans O-lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere.
Now there has been another player added to the list of players facing an indefinite suspension for a gambling violation.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Denver Broncos defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike has been suspended indefinitely by the league and won’t be eligible to petition for reinstatement until July 24th of next year.
The NFL confirmed today that Eyioma Uwazurike of the Denver Broncos has been suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games in the 2022 season. Uwazurike will be eligible to petition for reinstatement no earlier than July 24, 2024.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 24, 2023
The Denver Broncos selected Uwazurike in the 4th round of last year’s draft after he put together an All Big-12 season in his final year at Iowa State.
He wasn’t a huge part of the Broncos’ defense as a rookie. In his first season in Denver, he played in just 8 games and only played 31% of snaps in those appearances.
With that limited playing time, Eyioma Uwazurike was able to contribute 17 total tackles, a pair of QB hits, and a pass defended.
Now his career is very much up in the air as he will lose all of his 2nd season in the NFL and was already older for a 2nd-year player at 25 years old.
The Denver Broncos lose a bit of depth on their defensive line as a result of this suspension, but should be able to make up for his absence.
Hopefully this will be the last NFL player that gets suspended for a gambling violation.