Overview
- The Buffalo Bills announced on Tuesday that they released veteran safety C.J. Gardner‑Johnson, one day after he completed a one‑game NFL suspension for a spitting incident.
- Gardner‑Johnson was ejected during Buffalo’s Oct. 18 win over the Las Vegas Raiders after cameras captured him spitting toward Raiders players, an action that led to the league’s one‑game ban and a failed appeal.
- Multiple reports and team comments say the decision was driven more by Gardner‑Johnson’s inconsistent play and communication errors than by the disciplinary episode alone.
- In six starts for Buffalo this season he totaled 26 tackles, two passes defensed and one interception while his coverage metrics and missed‑tackle rate raised concerns for the coaching staff.
- Gardner‑Johnson will pass through the waiver process before becoming a free agent if unclaimed, and the Bills intend to use internal replacements such as Damar Hamlin, Cole Bishop, Geno Stone and rookie Jalon Kilgore at safety.