Bills S C.J. Gardner-Johnson Receives One-Game Suspension

That process has resulted in supplemental discipline. The league handed down a one-game suspension on Monday. Barring a successful appeal, that means Gardner-Johnson will be unavailable during Buffalo’s next contest, which will be in Week 7 against Baltimore.

The NFL’s announcement of the suspension notes the play violated unsportsmanlike conduct rules. This situation drew comparisons to Jalen Carter and Ja’Marr Chase from last season. Both players were ejected in spitting incidents in 2025. Carter was not suspended since his case applied to the first play of the game, whereas Chase received a one-game ban.

“I’ll take my consequence as it is, a fine or whatever it may be,” Gardner-Johnson said (via The Athletic’s Tim Graham) when speaking after the game. “I talked to the coaches already. We’re fine. Just handle it like a man and move on. Apologize to the team.”

Gardner-Johnson has served as a full-time starter during his debut Bills season. The 28-year-old made one tackle on Sunday, bringing his total on the year to 26. Gardner-Johnson has added one interception and two pass deflections along the way while allowing a passer rating of 73.4 in coverage.

Over the course of his eight-year career, Gardner-Johnson has seen time with six different teams. The former fourth-round pick has run into disciplinary issues at multiple stops, and a detailed vetting process took place prior to a Buffalo deal being arranged. Despite having racked up 21 interceptions in his career, Gardner-Johnson took a one-year pact worth $3.5MM to join the Bills. Those terms were an indication of the concerns felt by the team in this case.

Buffalo’s high-scoring win moved the team to 5-1 on the year. The Bills have struggled in a number of defensive categories so far in 2026, however, including a No. 31 ranking against the pass through six weeks. The team’s secondary will be shorthanded before Gardner-Johnson can make his return.