Bills CB Gardner-Johnson ejected after apparent spitting incident

 

LAS VEGAS -- Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected from Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders following an altercation in the final minute before halftime.

Gardner-Johnson appeared to spit in the direction of some Raiders offensive linemen, including center Tyler Linderbaum, in the time between a play, triggering an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and his disqualification. Gardner-Johnson had been jawing with Raiders players throughout the half and seemingly missed a couple of tackles early in the game.

Without Gardner-Johnson, the Bills' options at safety opposite fellow starter Cole Bishop include Damar Hamlin, Jalon Kilgore and Sam Franklin Jr.

Gardner-Johnson was also penalized for unnecessary roughness in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams. He was last ejected in 2024 as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles in a game in which he received two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

After the Bills' Week 4 loss to the New England Patriots, Gardner-Johnson made headlines by seemingly slighting Patriots receiver Efton Chism III, calling Chism a practice squad player after he helped beat the Bills with a winning touchdown.

The Bills and Raiders were tied 13-13 at halftime