Eyioma Uwazurike

Broncos DL Eyioma Uwazurike Reinstated From Gambling Suspension

August 5th, 2024 at 6:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

6:10pm: Uwazurike has released a statement (per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport):

“I am grateful to the Denver Broncos and the National Football League for giving me the opportunity to resume my NFL career. I’ve learned from this situation and taken steps to ensure it will never happen again.

“It is a privilege to play in the NFL, and I hope others can learn from my mistake. I will not take this second chance for granted and am fully committed to making a positive impact with the Broncos both on and off the field.”

12:30pm: Eyioma Uwazurike is back in the fold as of Monday. The Broncos defensive lineman has been reinstated from his 2023 gambling suspension, per a league announcement. He will take the roster spot vacated by safety Caden Sterns, who will be traded or waived today.

[Offseason In Review: Denver Broncos]

Uwazurike was among the many players hit with a ban last summer, one which ultimately lasted 54 weeks. An investigation into the 26-year-old’s wagering revealed he placed bets on five Broncos games during his rookie season as part of a wider pattern of FanDuel action which included bets made on Iowa State contests in 2021 when he played for the Cyclones.

Further review from the league office as well as the state of Colorado and Arapahoe County District Attorney took place recently. Uwazurike was first eligible to apply for reinstatement on July 24, but that probe was ongoing at the time. For that reason, he remained unable to take part in team activities until the investigation concluded. As detailed by Mike Klis of 9News, no charges have been filed, clearing the way for Uwazurike to return to action.

Given the year-long absence, the former fourth-rounder’s contract tolled in 2024. As a result, Uwazurike still has three years remaining on his rookie pact. He made eight appearances as a rookie, totaling 17 tackles and two quarterback pressures. With Denver’s training camp well underway, he will now turn his attention to carving out a roster spot on a new-look defensive front.

The Broncos saw the departure of Mike Purcell and Jonathan Harris this offseason while bringing in Malcolm Roach and Angelo Blackson via free agency. Denver also traded for John Franklin-Meyers during the draft, giving the team a number of new options along the defensive interior to pair with Zach Allen and D.J. Jones. Uwazurike will compete for playing time as a member of that group while attempting to avoid any further gambling-related issues.

Eyioma Uwazurike’s Potential Reinstatement Hits Snag

July 2nd, 2024 at 9:04pm CST by Ben Levine

Broncos defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike is eligible to apply for reinstatement from his indefinite gambling suspension on July 24. However, Mike Klis of 9News in Denver passes along a wrinkle that may delay Uwazurike’s return.

The Colorado Department of Revenue is looking into whether Uwazurike violated any state gambling laws. While Klis notes that no charges have been filed, he does report that the state has teamed with Arapahoe County for a criminal investigation against Uwazurike. The Story County (Iowa) Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint against the athlete last year.

The Iowa State product made approximately 801 wagers in the years prior to his suspension, including bets that featured the Cyclones and the Broncos. Klis passes along that the initial gambling allegations from Iowa were “suppressed and dismissed,” with attorneys successfully arguing that the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation violated constitutional rights when using geolocation software to collect incriminating information.

That factor bodes well for Uwazurike’s chances of overcoming this latest investigation in Colorado. Attorney Harvey Steinberg told Klis that the state will have difficulties prosecuting the player following the Iowa dismissal.

“Iowa court suppressed all evidence seized, finding it was taken illegally,’’ Steinberg said. “That ruling is binding on the Colorado courts and the Colorado prosecutors. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to attempt to prosecute a case here when all the charges were dismissed in Iowa as result of that ruling.”

While Uwazurike may avoid legal consequences, it won’t necessarily speed up his return to the NFL. Per Klis, the NFL is “waiting until state and local authorities conclude their review” before considering reinstatement. So, while Uwazurike can apply for reinstatement in a few weeks, he may not be immediately granted his return. Players are set to attend Denver’s training camp on July 23, right before Uwazurike’s first potential day of reinstatement.

The Broncos used Uwazurike as a backup D-lineman in eight games in 2022; he got into 165 defensive snaps. Even with the lack of production, the organization (including coach Sean Payton, who didn’t even get to coach Uwazurike during the 2023 campaign) has continued to support the former fourth-round pick. A source told Klis that the 26-year-old “has shown contrition and a willingness to change” by attending therapy and gambler’s anonymous meetings. It sounds like Denver is at least willing to give him a chance to rehabilitate his career, even if it ends up with the defensive lineman temporarily landing on the practice squad.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chiefs, Eluemunor

March 7th, 2024 at 10:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

Coming off their Russell Wilson misstep, the Broncos will be taking on a chunk of their record-setting dead money ($35.4MM) this year. The more punishing hit will come in 2025 ($49.6MM), and although both numbers will be offset to a degree by the cap’s rise, Denver may need to be thriftier at quarterback. Mock drafts continue to include a Broncos QB pick or a trade-up move for a passer, but 9News’ Mike Klis writes a veteran will likely be added in free agency.

Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield are probably out of play for the Broncos, who are still $2.5MM over the cap following their Justin Simmons release. But after other cost-saving moves, the team will have a host of bridge options available. Jacoby Brissett, Ryan Tannehill, Gardner Minshew and Sam Darnold headline that list, and the volume of passers in free agency should lead to affordable options for teams looking to pair a rookie with a stopgap vet. The Broncos do have Jarrett Stidham tied to a $7MM base salary, and they plan to give him a chance. But it is possible two outside options will be joining the season-ending starter this offseason.

Here is the latest from the AFC West:

Chris Jones remains the Chiefs‘ top priority, but after rumblings the defending champions could retain the likely Hall of Famer before free agency, they are running short on time. Other clubs can begin talking to Jones at 11am CT March 11. Seeking at least $30MM per year, Jones remains Kansas City’s top priority. Some uncertainty exists if the Chiefs’ the near-year-long retention effort will succeed, but the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora indicates the team is expected to devote more funds to its offense. After a wildly inconsistent receiver year, the Chiefs were believed to be interested in Mike Evans. Calvin Ridley, Marquise Brown and Gabe Davis are among the top options available, though it should also be expected the team — particularly if Jones is back on a monster contract — devotes a high draft choice to this group.
The Raiders appear to want to re-sign right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, per ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez, who notes the team’s stopgap right tackle starter might be the highest priority among the team’s free agent O-linemen. That would be interesting given Andre James‘ presence as a younger UFA-to-be. Eluemunor joins James and guard Greg Van Roten as Raiders starting O-linemen set for free agency. Eluemunor has signed three Raiders contracts, receiving a notable raise (to $3MM) in 2023. Showing himself to be a capable starter instead of a swingman, the 29-year-old blocker has started 34 games for the Raiders — at both guard and right tackle — over the past three seasons.
Releasing their longest-tenured player earlier today, the Broncos will need to make a plan at safety. As Simmons searches for a new team, the Broncos also have P.J. Locke as an unsigned starter. The team is interested in keeping Locke, according to the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. Locke replaced the twice-suspended Kareem Jackson as a starter and played well during the team’s five-game midseason win streak, holding off Jackson for the gig alongside Simmons. Caden Sterns, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1, remains under contract.
While Locke should be expected to return, Klis does not anticipate Lloyd Cushenberry or Josey Jewell coming back. Cushenberry’s likely high price should be viewed as a borderline non-starter for a Broncos team that has three other veterans (Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Mike McGlinchey) on veteran contracts and Quinn Meinerz as a potential extension candidate. Jewell, who joined Simmons as a holdover from Vance Joseph‘s HC years, discussed terms with the Broncos recently. But the six-year vet may be ticketed to leave Colorado as the team regroups after its failed Wilson extension.
The sports betting criminal case in Iowa against the former Denver fourth-round defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike will be dropped, Tomasson adds. A rotational player in 2021, Uwazurike drew a full-season ban for gambling on NFL games. Uwazurike’s NFL future is in doubt, but he can apply for reinstatement in July.

Broncos DL Eyioma Uwazurike Subject Of Criminal Gambling Investigation

August 2nd, 2023 at 9:18am CST by Sam Robinson

Second-year Broncos defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike received a full-season suspension for betting on NFL games, joining a handful of players during what has been an active stretch for the NFL and gambling trouble. The former fourth-round pick’s rookie season is now believed to have included bets on Broncos games.

Uwazurike bet on at least five Broncos games, two in which he played, according to the Des Moines Register’s Travis Hines and Randy Peterson. These were among the approximately 801 wagers a FanDuel account controlled by Uwazurike made. These bets totaled just more than $21K and are the subject of a criminal gambling investigation in Iowa, per Hines and Peterson, who add Uwazurike also bet on Cyclones games he played in during the 2021 season.

In total, Uwazurike made 32 bets on Broncos games or Broncos players. It is not yet known if any of these bets were on the Broncos to lose or unders involving Denver players. Prosecutors have accused Uwazurike of tampering with records and disguising his identity to make these bets, according to the complaint, by using another person, Rachel Louise Francis, to make the wagers for him. The Broncos have cooperated with this investigation, Mike Klis of 9News tweets.

Uwazurike, 25, is far from the first player to be hit with a gambling ban in recent months. A handful of players, including Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, were found to have bet on NFL games and are thus under indefinite suspension. Rodgers was found to have bet on Colts games. Uwazurike’s involvement in a criminal gambling matter is a different story, and his role as a rotational D-lineman in Denver clouds his NFL future in light of this probe. Three years remain on Uwazurike’s rookie contract, which will toll to 2024 — provided he is still with the team by that point.

The Colts waived Rodgers, while the Lions cut the four non-Jameson Williams popped with gambling suspensions. Defensive end Shaka Toney remains with the Commanders. The NFL went years without a gambling policy violator, but a 2018 Supreme Court decision that expanded betting to numerous states beyond Nevada and New Jersey has both affected the NFL through partnerships and with players running afoul of the betting policy. Teams have attempted to better educate players on the gambling policy, but Uwazurike trudged into hot water earlier by allegedly making bets as a college athlete.

The Broncos used Uwazurike as a backup D-lineman in eight games last season; he played 165 defensive snaps. Along with fellow second-year player Matt Henningsen, Uwazurike had a chance to play a bigger role this season. He is due in court August 16.

Broncos DL Eyioma Uwazurike Issued Indefinite Gambling Suspension

July 24th, 2023 at 5:44pm CST by Adam La Rose

The identity of the latest NFL player to receive NFL discipline for violation of the league’s gambling policy has been learned. Broncos defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike has been banned indefinitely, as noted (on Twitter) by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Uwazurike was found to have wagered on NFL games in 2022, his rookie season. As a result, he will now miss the upcoming campaign and is ineligible to apply for reinstatement until July 24, 2024. The news marks a blow to the Broncos’ defensive front, and to the 25-year-old’s career future.

A fourth-round pick out of Iowa State, Uwazurike appeared in eight games last year, seeing playing time in the latter half of the season. He saw a 31% snap share on defense, recording 17 tackles and a pair of QB hits while also blocking a field goal. Uwazurike was in line to take on a larger workload this season, but that will no longer be the case. The Broncos saw Dre’Mont Jones depart in free agency, and replaced him with ex-Cardinal Zach Allen. The latter, along with the likes of Matt Henningsen, D.J. Jones and Mike Purcell, will log most of the snaps along Denver’s D-line.

“We were informed by the NFL today that Eyioma Uwazurike has been suspended by the league indefinitely for violating its gambling policy,” the Broncos said in a statement. “Our organization fully cooperated with this investigation and takes matters pertaining to the integrity of the game very seriously.

“The Denver Broncos will continue to provide all members of our organization with the necessary education, resources and support to ensure compliance with the NFL’s Gambling Policy.”

The 2023 offseason has been littered with players being issued either full-season bans for gambling on NFL games, or shorter punishments for placing wagers on non-NFL events while at team facilities. Uwazurike has joined that growing list, and he will now spend at least the next calendar year out of the Broncos’ plans and away from football.

Broncos Sign Fourth-Rounders Damarri Mathis, Eyioma Uwazurike To Wrap Draft Class

June 23rd, 2022 at 12:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

Each of the Broncos’ 2022 draftees is now signed. Fourth-round picks Damarri Mathis and Eyioma Uwazurike agreed to terms on their four-year rookie contracts Thursday, finalizing the slot-deal negotiation process for the year in Denver.

The Broncos chose the two defenders back-to-back in Round 4, with Mathis going 115th overall and Uwazurike 116th. The duo can be expected to play depth roles for a Broncos team featuring more experienced players at cornerback and on their defensive line.

A corner out of Pittsburgh, Mathis missed the 2020 season but returned in 2021 to solidify his status as a draftable prospect. He picked up two more interceptions, finishing his career with five, and helped the Panthers to the Peach Bowl. The Broncos return starters Ronald Darby and Patrick Surtain II and signed K’Waun Williams to work in the slot. Mathis figures to join third-year corner Michael Ojemudia as a reserve option.

Uwazurike, who went to Iowa State, enjoyed a breakout 2021 season. Using his extra year allowed by the NCAA following the COVID-19 pandemic, Uwazurike recorded nine sacks and 12 tackles for loss for the Cyclones last season. The interior D-lineman should be expected to work as a rotational presence for a Broncos team that has Dre’Mont Jones and Mike Purcell returning. The team, which included Shelby Harris in the Russell Wilson trade, added another starter in D.J. Jones via free agency soon after.

Here is how the Broncos’ 2022 draft class looks:

Round 2: No. 64 (from Rams) Nik Bonitto, LB (Oklahoma) (signed)
Round 3: No. 80 (from Saints through Texans) Greg Dulcich, TE (UCLA) (signed)
Round 4: No. 115 Damarri Mathis, CB (Pittsburgh) (signed)
Round 4: No. 116 (from Seahawks) Eyioma Uwazurike, DT (Iowa State) (signed)
Round 5: No. 152 Delarrin Turner-Yell, S (Oklahoma) (signed)
Round 5: No. 162 (from Eagles through Texans) Montrell Washington, WR (Samford) (signed)
Round 5: No. 171 (from Packers): Luke Wattenberg, C (Washington) (signed)
Round 6: No. 206 (from Buccaneers through Jets and Eagles) Matt Henningsen, DT (Wisconsin) (signed)
Round 7: No. 232 Faion Hicks, CB (Wisconsin) (signed)