Gardner-Johnson's ejection now costs Buffalo a game after its bye

Buffalo won in Las Vegas on Sunday, but C.J. Gardner-Johnson's ejection will follow the Bills past their bye week. The NFL suspended the safety for one game Monday after he spat toward a Raiders player late in the first half of the 33-30 victory.

The next game on Buffalo's schedule is November 1 at home against Baltimore. Gardner-Johnson is currently set to miss it, unless an appeal changes the penalty. A November 9 road game against Minnesota follows.

The league's October 19 roundup confirmed the suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct. It adds a future absence to the playing time Buffalo had already lost when officials sent Gardner-Johnson off before halftime Sunday.

The player acknowledged the cost

Gardner-Johnson said after the game that he let his emotions hurt his team, according to Field Level Media. He said Raiders tight end Brock Bowers had not done anything to him beyond their verbal argument and described his own gesture as unwarranted.

The exchange happened after an incomplete pass from Kirk Cousins toward Tre Tucker with 19 seconds left before halftime. CBS cameras showed Gardner-Johnson spitting in Bowers' direction as the tight end turned toward the huddle. Raiders center Tyler Linderbaum was nearby.

The original broadcaster clip shows the incident that led to the disqualification:

Officials did not need to wait for a later video review to identify the conduct. Referee Shawn Smith told the postgame pool reporter that umpire Tra Blake witnessed Gardner-Johnson spit toward an opponent, according to Field Level Media's report.

Gardner-Johnson also said Joe Brady asked him to apologize to teammates, which he did after the game. Reporter Jon Scott posted the full postgame exchange:

The acknowledgment came Sunday; Monday brought the league's decision that the ejection alone would not be the end of the punishment.

Buffalo returns without him unless the ruling changes

The Bills improved to 5-1 with the win. Their Week 7 bye provides a break in the schedule, but the suspension applies to a game, so the looming absence is against Baltimore rather than during the idle week.

Gardner-Johnson joined Buffalo on a one-year deal in March. His official Bills profile lists the veteran as a safety wearing No. 22. He previously played for New Orleans, Philadelphia, Detroit, Houston and Chicago, and was ejected from a Philadelphia game in December 2024 after two unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties.

He has the right to appeal Monday's suspension. An appeal could change his availability; no decision overturning the suspension had been announced Monday.