ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The NFL issued a one-game suspension without pay to Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Monday after video captured him spitting toward Las Vegas Raiders players during Sunday’s contest, league officials announced.
The punishment stems from an incident late in the second quarter of Buffalo’s 33-30 victory. Following a heated verbal dispute, Gardner-Johnson was ejected when umpire Tra Blake observed him spitting toward Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, referee Shawn Smith confirmed via a pool report. The league determined Gardner-Johnson violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which prohibits conduct contrary to basic sportsmanship standards.
Suspension details and team reaction
Because the Bills enter an off week at 5-1, Gardner-Johnson’s punishment will officially begin Oct. 26 and continue through Nov. 2, according to reports from NFL Network and ABC News. Unless overturned on appeal, the sanction sidelines him for Buffalo’s Week 8 showdown against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 1.
Bills head coach Joe Brady told reporters Monday that the organization will not impose additional disciplinary action against the safety. Brady emphasized that Gardner-Johnson will retain his starting role once he is eligible to return in Week 9, ESPN reported.
“C.J. knows that it’s hard enough to win in this league with 48 guys, much less 47. He knows that that can’t happen. It’s inexcusable. That’s not the standard that we’re going to have and play with,” Brady said, adding, “We want to toe the line with everything we do but we can’t cross the line.”
Gardner-Johnson expressed remorse to his teammates directly after the game and subsequently published an apology on social media. In his statement, he acknowledged that his conduct was unacceptable.
“The gesture I made toward my opponent was inappropriate, unnecessary, and not a reflection of the respect I have for him or this game,” Gardner-Johnson wrote.
Raiders preach composure
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak revealed after the contest that he had warned his roster before kickoff about potential provocations from Buffalo defenders, advising that retaliating would result in benching, the California Post reported.
Bowers maintained his restraint following the altercation, avoiding a reciprocal penalty and allowing the officials to assess a 15-yard infraction against Buffalo. Bowers told reporters that the interaction consisted of normal talking before escalating unexpectedly, noting that the Raiders aimed to remain composed throughout the game.
Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins noted that the ejection and yardage gave Las Vegas prime field position as he prepared for the next snap without fully seeing what occurred in the secondary.
Pattern of discipline
The ejection marked the 16th time the league has disciplined Gardner-Johnson during his eight-year professional career for violations including fighting and taunting, according to Heavy. The 28-year-old defensive back, who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, signed a one-year agreement with Buffalo in March.
Following Sunday’s incident, San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk alleged on social media that Gardner-Johnson previously spat on him during a 2025 meeting when Gardner-Johnson played for the Chicago Bears.
If Gardner-Johnson chooses to challenge the disciplinary ruling, the appeal will be reviewed by an officer jointly appointed by the league and the NFL Players Association, ESPN reported. It remains unconfirmed whether he plans to formally appeal before the suspension takes effect next week.
