Bills Release Gardner-Johnson After Suspension

The Buffalo Bills released safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday, November 3, after he served a one-game suspension for spitting toward Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. The team announced the move, ending Gardner-Johnson’s brief tenure in Buffalo after six games. The incident occurred during a Week 6 matchup on October 18. The NFL suspended Gardner-Johnson, who missed Buffalo’s Week 8 victory over the Baltimore Ravens while serving the penalty. The Bills had a bye in Week 7. NFL reporter Cameron Wolfe said Gardner-Johnson’s inconsistent play, rather than the spitting incident, was the main reason for the release. The Bills did not provide a reason in the material announcing the move. Head coach Joe Brady had previously said Gardner-Johnson would remain with the team after the suspension news, while also saying the safety needed to play better. Gardner-Johnson started six games for Buffalo. Reports list one interception and two passes defended; tackle totals differ, with reports giving either 17 or 26. He joined the Bills on a one-year contract worth up to $6 million, according to reports. After the incident, Gardner-Johnson apologized publicly to Bowers, his...