Overview
- The Buffalo Bills officially released safety C.J. Gardner‑Johnson on Tuesday, Nov. 3, ending his stint with the team just after he became eligible to return from a one‑game suspension.
- The suspension stemmed from an Oct. 18 ejection when video showed Gardner‑Johnson spit in the direction of Raiders players Brock Bowers and Tyler Linderbaum, a penalty the NFL reviewed and upheld on appeal.
- Team insiders and reporters say the roster move was driven more by coaches’ concerns about Gardner‑Johnson’s inconsistent on‑field play than solely by the spitting incident, and the Bills said they have confidence in internal options such as Damar Hamlin.
- Gardner‑Johnson, 28, started six games for Buffalo this season and had roughly 26 combined tackles and one interception while carrying a history of multiple fines and prior discipline during his career.
- He now goes through the NFL waiver process and could become a free agent if unclaimed, a development that may interest teams weighing his turnover production against his conduct record and recent inconsistency.