Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson's one-game suspension for spitting at Las Vegas Raiders players has been upheld by appeals hearing officer Jordy Nelson, the league announced Thursday.
Gardner-Johnson was one of two Bills players suspended for spitting during the road game against the Raiders. Defensive back and special teams captain Sam Franklin Jr. also received a one-game suspension. Franklin denied spitting in a post to his Instagram Story on Wednesday and has also appealed his suspension.
Gardner-Johnson was ejected from Sunday's game after spitting in the direction of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and center Tyler Linderbaum shortly before halftime. He apologized to his teammates after the Bills' 33-30 victory and said he needed to be a better veteran moving forward.
Gardner-Johnson will miss the Bills' Week 8 game against the visiting Baltimore Ravens. Buffalo is on a bye this week. Bills coach Joe Brady said Monday there will be no further team punishment beyond the league's suspension. Brady remains committed to Gardner-Johnson as a starter when he is eligible to return in Week 9.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing