ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike, who was suspended just over a year ago for violating the NFL's policy on gambling, has been reinstated by the league and was back on the practice field Monday.
"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," he said in a statement. "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."
Uwazurike was suspended July 24, 2023, by the league for betting on NFL games during the 2022 season -- his rookie year. At the time, the NFL said Uwazurike could petition for reinstatement no earlier than July 24.
"He's young, remember I only had that minicamp and never the full training camp,'' Broncos coach Sean Payton said after Monday's practice. "He's a young player we drafted, and he's handled this well. Took full responsibility for it.''
Later Payton added that Uwazurike "was very remorseful and I think that played a big part [in his reinstatement]. I think he understands the mistake he made and he's real appreciative to be back here with his team.''
The NFL's policy on gambling prohibits players from betting on the NFL; gambling at a team's facility, including its hotel during road trips; from having others make bets for them; from entering a sportsbook facility; and from playing daily fantasy football.
A fourth-round draft pick of the Broncos in 2022, Uwazurike played in eight games, 165 snaps on defense in all, that season. He finished the season with 11 tackles and knocked down one pass.
Uwazurike had been expected to push for more playing time last season before he was suspended. He can now participate in all team activities, including meetings, practices and preseason games.
But Payton said that given the amount of time Uwazurike has missed, the Broncos will be careful how they reintegrate him back into drills as they decide when he may play in any of their three preseason games. Monday, Uwazurike worked on a side field with a member of the team's strength and conditioning staff as the Broncos went through their training camp practice.
"[We] have got to be careful with putting him out there right away,'' Payton said. "[But] he's big, he's explosive, he's strong, he's got those traits to push the pocket ... We're glad it's worked out for him.''