Just over a year since his indefinite suspension for wagering on football games, C.J. Moore is making a comeback with the Detroit Lions.
The Lions announced on Tuesday that they’ve inked Moore to a one-year contract, aiming to bolster their secondary and special teams with the experienced safety. Additionally, the team has brought on free agent defensive lineman Kyle Peko.
In April, the NFL reinstated Moore and four other players who were sidelined for the entire 2023 season: Former Lions Quintez Cephus and Demetrius Taylor, former Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney, and former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Rashod Berry.
Upon the announcement of their suspensions, the Lions released Moore and Cephus, while Taylor had been let go before his suspension.
Lions receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill were also suspended for six games for violating the NFL’s gambling policy by placing bets on non-NFL games from a team facility. Their suspensions were later reduced to three games last autumn. Williams concluded the previous season with 24 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns across 12 games.
Berryhill was waived by the Lions two weeks following his suspension.
During 2019-2022, Moore emerged as one of the Lions’ prominent special teams contributors, consistently ranking among the team leaders in special teams tackles and snaps. At 28 years old, he joins a safety group that includes returning starters Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu but lacks depth, with only Brandon Joseph as a backup, who primarily spent the last season on the practice squad.
