To make room on the roster for the signing of safety Dee Delaney on an undisclosed one-year contract, the Buffalo Bills released wide receiver Quintez Cephus on Thursday. The Bills added Cephus in free agency in April, but he's now back on the open market after missing all of last year due to a suspension for violating the league's policy on gambling. The 26-year-old was originally a fifth-round selection by the Detroit Lions in the 2020 NFL draft out of Wisconsin. All three of his NFL seasons have come with the Lions, and Cephus has recorded just 37 catches on 60 targets for 568 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 22 total games (six starts). If Cephus ends up being picked up by another team, he'll merely be attempting to make the active roster out of training camp this summer.
Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus, who was reinstated last week after being suspended for all of last season for violating the NFL's gambling policies, reached an undisclosed agreement with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, according to his agents. The 26-year-old former fifth-round pick (166th overall) by the Lions in 2020 out of Wisconsin has a total of 37 receptions on 60 targets for 568 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games (six starts) in his three seasons in the league. The Bills are notably lacking receiver depth after trading Stefon Diggs to the Texans and losing Gabe Davis in free agency this offseason, so Cephus will have a chance to carve out a spot as receiving depth in Buffalo this summer in training camp. His best season came in his rookie year in 2020, when he caught 20 of 35 targets for 349 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games (two starts).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus was suspended for violating the NFL's gambling policy on Friday. Afterwards, the Lions decided to release the 25-year-old wideout. That isn't shocking considering Cephus receives an indefinite suspension that requires a minimum one-year ban. The former fifth-round pick has been mainly a depth option over the first three seasons of his career. He has 37 receptions, 568 yards, and four touchdowns in 22 games. It remains to be seen if Cephus will catch on elsewhere after his suspension ends.
Jameson Williams, Quintez Cephus Suspended For Gambling
The NFL has suspended five players on Friday, including Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, for violations of the league's gambling policy, according to sources. Lions receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore and Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney are suspended indefinitely (at least for one year). Williams and Lions receiver Stanley Berryhill will be suspended for six games. It's a big blow for Detroit and for Williams, one of the league's more promising young wideouts. He got a late start in his rookie year in 2022 due to a knee injury and finished with a 41-yard touchdown catch in six games played. The 22-year-old still has plenty of exciting long-term upside for dynasty/keeper managers, but his stock in redraft leagues obviously takes a big hit with this news.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (foot) has been ruled out for the remainder of Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks. He caught two passes for 15 yards before exiting. Detroit is suddenly extremely thin at wide receiver with Cephus, Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle), and DJ Chark (ankle) sidelined. T.J. Hockenson and Josh Reynolds should headline the passing attack in Cephus' absence.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (leg) suffered an apparent leg injury in practice Tuesday, creating questions about the status of his health. Head coach Dan Campbell commented on the injury, stating that Cephus "will be down for we feel like a short period of time, but I think he's going to be OK." The ominous nature of his comment leaves fantasy managers in a difficult place. Further adding to this concern is his fall on the depth chart due to the acquisition of veteran D.J. Chark and rookie Jameson Williams, both of whom project to be ahead of him once healthy. Cephus is a player to stay away from in your draft, at least until we know more about his injury.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (leg) suffered an injury to his left leg in Tuesday's practice and was spotted heading to the locker room putting no pressure on it. Cephus, who suffered a broken collarbone during the 2021 season, was making a good impression through the first week of camp, so this is a tough break for him as he looked to stand out in the Lions' new revamped receiver room. The 24-year-old has shown some flashes during his time in Detroit, as he put up 15 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns in just five games last season. However, he'll have to compete with Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark, Jameson Williams, and T.J. Hockenson for targets in a Jared Goff-led offense. Fantasy managers can leave Cephus on the waiver wire for now.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus had a really nice mandatory minicamp and showed up all three days last week. Cephus was off to a good start last year before a collarbone injury ended his season after just four and a half games. He's tough, agile and a good route-runner, and he put himself in a good situation heading into training camp next month. Cephus and Trinity Benson, who also had a nice week, will have a pretty good competition in training camp for what might be one of the last couple roster spots at the position. The 24-year-old Cephus has 35 receptions for 553 yards and four touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons in 18 games (five starts). He'll provide Detroit with some solid depth, but he won't be on the fantasy radar in standard-sized leagues.
Quintez Cephus A Candidate For Increased Role In 2022
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus is a candidate to have an expanded role in the team's offense in 2022. According to Lions wide receiver coach Antwaan Randle El, the team is looking for a genuine No. 1 guy to play the X receiver spot and be a dominant threat down the field to complement Amon-Ra St. Brown in the slot. Quintez Cephus, Trinity Benson, and Javon McKinley are the only wideouts under contract next season. Cephus broke his collarbone in the Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The 23-year-old caught 15 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns over four games. "I feel like Q (Cephus) was really taking some strides before he got hurt," Randle El said. "You see flashes in Q for sure because Q just has this unbelievable like he can get off the field and jump. Being able to just put it up (to him) and make a play. You see him go up one hand and be able to come down with it." Unless the Lions add a receiver through free agency, Cephus has an excellent chance to be the team's WR2 alongside St. Brown and could be a solid late-round pick if he's able to secure that role.
Quintez Cephus Officially Lands On Injured Reserve
The Detroit Lions officially placed wide receiver Quintez Cephus (collarbone) on the Injured Reserve on Tuesday. In corresponding moves, the team signed receiver Javon McKinley to the practice squad and released tight end Jared Pinkney from the practice squad. Cephus broke his collarbone in the Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and is likely to miss the rest of the season. Already one of the thinnest receiving units in the league, the Lions are likely to roll with Kalif Raymond, rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown and KhaDarel Hodge in three-wide sets heading into Week 6 with Tyrell Williams (concussion) still on Injured Reserve. Trinity Benson could also factor in. Cephus will finish his second season with 15 receptions (22 targets) for 204 yards and two touchdowns in five games.
