Bills safety Gardner-Johnson suspended one game for spitting incident vs. Raiders

C.J. Gardner-Johnson, safety for the Buffalo Bills, was ejected during the second quarter of Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders on October 18, 2026, after spitting in the direction of Raiders players including tight end Brock Bowers and center Tyler Linderbaum. The incident occurred during an exchange between Gardner-Johnson and Raiders players late in the second quarter, with 14 seconds remaining before halftime. The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and ejection came after Gardner-Johnson had been jawing with opposing players throughout the half.

On October 21, the NFL announced a one-game suspension without pay, citing violation of rules regarding "any act that is contrary to the principles of sportsmanship generally understood." The suspension begins October 26 and extends through November 2, covering the Bills' bye week and their game against the Baltimore Ravens. Gardner-Johnson has the right to appeal. The Bills defeated the Raiders 33–30 despite Gardner-Johnson's absence in the second half.

Gardner-Johnson, 28, apologized to teammates and fans after the game, stating he could not engage in such conduct as a veteran and adult player. Bills head coach Joe Brady called the spitting incident "inexcusable" and said he had spoken privately with Gardner-Johnson, emphasizing that the behavior does not align with the team's values. Brady acknowledged Gardner-Johnson's established reputation as a verbal provocateur but noted the player crossed the line and that such conduct cannot happen again.

This is Gardner-Johnson's second NFL ejection; his previous disqualification occurred in 2024 with the Philadelphia Eagles when he received two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the same game. Gardner-Johnson is in his first season with Buffalo, his sixth team in eight seasons, and had started all five games he appeared in before the Raiders matchup, recording 25 tackles, two pass breakups, and one interception. The Bills (5–1) will be without him through their bye week.