Overview
- The Buffalo Bills announced Tuesday that they released veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and have placed him on waivers.
- Gardner-Johnson was ejected on Oct. 18 after a video showed him spitting toward Raiders players and the NFL upheld a one-game suspension that he appealed.
- Team officials and multiple reports said the decision was driven more by a pattern of inconsistent, high-variance plays than the single disciplinary episode.
- He started six games for Buffalo this season, recording 26 combined tackles and one interception, and his departure clears room for Damar Hamlin, Geno Stone and rookie Jalon Kilgore to take larger roles.
- Gardner-Johnson is an eight-year veteran with a Super Bowl on his résumé who could draw interest from other clubs, but teams weighing a claim or signing will likely factor in both his recent conduct and spotty performance.