Bills' Gardner-Johnson suspended one game for spitting at Raiders players

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  Nick SussOct 19, 2026, 03:13 PM ET

The NFL has suspended Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson for one game without pay after cameras captured him spitting toward Las Vegas Raiders players on Sunday.

The league said in a statement that Gardner-Johnson violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to "any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship."

Barring an appeal, Gardner Johnson will miss the Bills' Week 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens. Buffalo is on a bye this week. Any appeal would be heard by Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson, Ron Rivera, or James Thrash, who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.

Gardner-Johnson was ejected from Sunday's game after spitting in the direction of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and center Tyler Linderbaum shortly before halftime. He apologized to his teammates after the Bills' 33-30 victory and said he needed to be a better veteran moving forward.

The incident came after a play in which Gardner-Johnson and Bowers jawed, but Gardner-Johnson said there wasn't a specific incitement that sparked the flagrant act.

"We were just arguing and talking," Gardner-Johnson told reporters. "It was nothing negative. He ain't do nothing to me. It was just in the heat of the game arguing and talking s---. That gesture isn't warranted."

Said Bowers: "I don't even know. Just talking a little bit and then ... I don't know."

Later Sunday, in a social media post, Gardner-Johnson formally apologized "to my opponent, my teammates, my organization, and everyone who supports me."

"My passion and competitive nature have always been a huge part of who I am, but I also understand that there is a line that should never be crossed," he wrote. "The gesture I made toward my opponent was inappropriate, unnecessary, and not a reflection of the respect I have for him or this game."

Referee Shawn Smith said via a pool report that umpire Tra Blake witnessed Gardner-Johnson spit toward Bowers, triggering his ejection. This was the second time in two weeks that Gardner-Johnson registered a 15-yard penalty and the first time he had been ejected from a game since 2024.

Bills coach Joe Brady requested Gardner-Johnson apologize for the incident. Asked about his teammate's ejection postgame, Bills quarterback Josh Allen said that he was still unclear about what happened but that the captains will review the footage together and decide whether it's necessary to address it as a team.