Colts waive Rodgers, Berry following gambling suspensions
The Indianapolis Colts waived cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and pass-rusher Rashod Berry on Thursday, the team announced.
"We have made the following roster moves as a consequence of the determination that these players violated the league's gambling policy," Colts general manager Chris Ballard said in a statement. "The integrity of the game is of the utmost importance. As an organization, we will continue to educate our players, coaches, and staff on the policies in place and the significant consequences that may occur with violations."
The NFL banned Rodgers, Berry, and free agent Demetrius Taylor indefinitely on Thursday for violating the league's gambling policy. The three players will be suspended through at least the conclusion of the 2023 season for betting on NFL games in 2022.
Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was also suspended six regular-season games for placing non-NFL bets at the team's facility.
Rodgers apologized earlier in June and said he took "full responsibility" for his actions after the NFL opened an investigation into whether he'd violated its gambling rules. A sportsbook account was reportedly opened under the name of an associate of Rodgers and the account placed approximately 100 bets over an undisclosed period of time, including wagers on Colts games. Most of the bets were reportedly in the $25-$50 range, but there was at least one low four-figure bet.
Rodgers won a $1,000 prop bet on a Colts running back's over/under rushing yards, according to ESPN.
The 25-year-old Rodgers spent his first three NFL seasons with the Colts, who drafted him in the sixth round in 2020. He had one season left on his rookie contract, which was worth $3.4 million for four years.
The UMass product started nine games for Indianapolis and returned 18 kickoffs in 2022. He set a career high with three interceptions in 2021.
Berry, an undrafted rookie in 2020, made his last NFL appearance in 2021 on the Detroit Lions. He spent most of 2022 on the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad before joining the Colts in January.
The league has suspended several players for violating its gambling policy recently. Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was among five players punished in April for gambling violations. The 2022 first-round pick received a six-game ban for gambling on college sports while in the team facility.
The NFL's gambling policy prohibits personnel from gambling in any manner while in a club or league facility. The league highlighted its gambling protocols on a conference call earlier in June.