Once viewed as a promising piece in the Detroit Lions’ offense, Quintez Cephus is back on the free market.
The Los Angeles Rams waived the 27-year-old wide receiver Wednesday, bringing his short stint with the team to an end.
Cephus signed with the Rams last September — albeit to their practice squad — reuniting with former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who he caught passes from during his rookie season in Detroit. This past January, he signed a reserve/future contract to remain with the team before his recent release.
After leaving Detroit, Cephus had brief stints with the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans but failed to replicate the minimal yet promising production he displayed during the 2020 season.
In 13 games (two starts) with the Lions that year, he caught 20 passes for 349 yards and two touchdowns.
Injuries plagued Cephus over the next few seasons, limiting his contributions. But what ultimately led to his exit from Detroit was a 2023 suspension, when he and three other Lions players — Jameson Williams, Stanley Berryhill and C.J. Moore — were disciplined for violating the NFL’s gambling policy.
Unlike Berryhill and Williams — the latter of whom remains with the Lions — Cephus and Moore were suspended indefinitely (at least one year) for betting on NFL games.
In a corresponding move, the Lions released both Cephus and Moore.
During his 22 career games — all with Detroit — Cephus caught 37 passes for 568 yards and four touchdowns.