Bills DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson ejected after apparent spitting incident vs. Raiders
Buffalo lost safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson late in the first half after he was tossed for what appears to have been spitting toward a Raiders player. The NFL's zero-tolerance policy on spitting could bring an additional suspension
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Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected from Sunday's game against the Raiders in Las Vegas after an apparent spitting incident in the final seconds of the first half — a play that also allowed the Raiders to kick a game-tying field goal before the break.
The incident unfolded after a scuffle along the sideline that drew in multiple players. Gardner-Johnson was seen jawing with Raiders players Tyler Linderbaum and Brock Bowers before appearing to spit in their direction. Cameras captured the sequence, which CBS showed during the halftime report. The NFL made clear last season there is zero tolerance for spitting toward an opponent, making Gardner-Johnson a candidate for a potential suspension beyond the ejection.
Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate): #Bills DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson has been ejected, and it appears he may have spit on a #Raiders player.
The 14-yard penalty on the play — half the distance — put the Raiders in position for kicker Matt Gay to drill a 27-yard field goal on the final play of the half, tying the game 13-13. The Bills were already playing without two of their other key contributors Sunday as wide receiver DJ Moore and defensive tackle Ed Oliver were ruled inactive before the game.
Gardner-Johnson has had a history of contentious interactions on the field throughout his career. The NFL typically reviews ejections involving conduct toward opponents for additional discipline, and the spitting element — given the league's explicit zero-tolerance policy — makes this a situation worth monitoring when the league issues its weekly discipline.