Bills release player suspended for spitting on Raiders tight end
Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAYTue, November 3, 2026 at 10:59 PM UTC
The Buffalo Bills have released safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the team announced on Nov. 3.
The move comes just one day after Gardner-Johnson finished serving a one-game suspension for spitting at an opposing player. Prior to the suspension, the 28-year-old had started all six games for Buffalo after signing a deal in free agency with the Bills over the offseason.
Gardner-Johnson was ejected before halftime in Buffalo's Week 6 win for spitting at Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. The safety posted an apology to his Instagram story after the incident:
"I want to take a moment to address my actions and sincerely apologize to my opponent, my teammates, my organization, and everyone who supports me," Gardner-Johnson wrote. "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. The gesture I made toward my opponent was inappropriate, unnecessary, and not a reflection of the respect I have for him or this game.
"There is no excuse for my actions, and I take full accountability. No matter how emotional or intense the competition gets, I have to hold myself to a higher standard."
Head coach Joe Brady gave no indication that Gardner-Johnson was in danger of being cut when he met with the media on Oct. 19:
“CJ is a member of the Buffalo Bills," Brady said when asked if Gardner-Johnson would continue to start. "We brought him here for a reason. He knows that he has to play better. He knows he has to be better for this team. Just like everybody else, we gotta to learn from the stuff and we have to improve and find ways to get better as the season goes."
The Bills were Gardner-Johnson's sixth team in eight NFL seasons. He finishes his Buffalo career with six games played, 26 total tackles and one interception.
Buffalo currently has three safeties on its active roster – Damar Hamlin, Cole Bishop and rookie Jalon Kilgore. Geno Stone figures to be an option that can be signed off the practice squad.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bills release player suspended for spitting on Raiders tight end
Source: Sports
