Overview
- Gardner-Johnson, who was ejected Sunday, was shown on CBS cameras appearing to spit in the direction of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers during a second-quarter confrontation and was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.
- The 15-yard penalty helped the Raiders kick a field goal to tie the game at halftime, and Buffalo finished the game with a 33-30 win while operating without the starter in its secondary.
- Gardner-Johnson apologized after the game, told reporters he let his emotions get the better of him, and said he expects the league to fine or otherwise punish him.
- The incident adds to Gardner-Johnson’s disciplinary record, which includes a December 2024 ejection and multiple fines, and drew public criticism and a social-media claim from Kyle Juszczyk that Gardner-Johnson spat on him previously.
- The NFL is reviewing broadcast and viral video for further discipline, and recent league precedent for spitting cases shows fines or lost game checks that can effectively mirror a one-game suspension as the league decides next steps.