Bills’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson loses appeal, will serve one-game suspension for spitting vs. Raiders

If you were hoping the Bills’ bye week would give C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s appeal some time to work its magic, well, it didn’t.

A hearing officer has upheld the Buffalo Bills safety’s one-game suspension for spitting during the team’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders, the NFL announced Thursday, Oct. 22. League spokesman Michael Signora said the decision came from Jordy Nelson, the hearing officer jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.

In case you forgot what happened

The incident happened Sunday, Oct. 18, in Las Vegas. According to the Associated Press, Gardner-Johnson spat in the direction of a group of Raiders players, including tight end Brock Bowers, after an exchange on the field. He was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejected late in the second quarter. Buffalo still escaped with a 33-30 win to move to 5-1.

The league handed down the one-game suspension without pay on Monday, Oct. 19, under its sportsmanship rule. Gardner-Johnson apologized to his teammates right after the game and later posted an apology to fans on social media. He appealed anyway, which was his right under the collective bargaining agreement.

So, what game does he miss?

Because Buffalo is on its bye this week, the suspension carries over to the team’s next game. That means Gardner-Johnson will sit out the Bills’ Nov. 1 home matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. He’s eligible to return after that.

He isn’t the only Bills defensive back in this situation. Heavy reports that safety Sam Franklin Jr. is also appealing a one-game suspension for spitting in the same game. No decision on Franklin’s appeal has been announced.

Why it matters

Buffalo’s secondary could be short-handed for one of the AFC’s biggest regular-season tests, against a Ravens offense that punishes any missed assignment. And if Franklin’s suspension also stands, the Bills lose two safeties for the same game. From a PR standpoint, the apology was the right move, and it was quick. At the same time, the league has been consistent here: spitting is a line it won’t let slide, appeal or no appeal. The bye gives Buffalo a full week to plan around it, so there’s no sense in hitting panic mode just yet.

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