Bills' Sam Franklin Jr. Suspended by NFL for Spitting at Raiders, Joins CJGJ in Missing Week 8

Buffalo Bills defensive back Sam Franklin Jr. landed in some hot water for an incident during the team's Week 6 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

The NFL announced that Franklin has been suspended for one game for "an act of unsportsmanlike conduct" after he was seen spitting at an opponent in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game. The Bills are on a bye this week, so Franklin will miss their Week 8 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Franklin "is denying the allegation and will appeal."

Franklin joined the Bills' practice squad prior to the 2025 season and quickly earned a spot on the main roster. He appeared in all 17 games last season, mostly on special teams. He was voted a team captain this season.

While Franklin is denying the allegation, it seems like the Bills had a hard time keeping their mouths shut during Sunday's contest. Veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson also received a one-game suspension after cameras caught him spitting toward Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and center Tyler Linderbaum.

"C.J. knows that it's hard enough to win in this league with 48 guys, much less 47. He knows that that can't happen. It's inexcusable. That's not the standard that we're going to have and play with," Bills head coach Joe Brady told reporters on Monday. "He's addressed it. It's been addressed. The league came down with the suspension. … We want to toe the line with everything we do but we can't cross the line."

Gardner-Johnson addressed the incident with his teammates and coaches after the game, and he posted an apology for his actions on social media.

"My passion and competitive nature have always been a huge part of who I am, but I also understand that there is a line that should never be crossed," he wrote. "The gesture I made toward my opponent was inappropriate, unnecessary, and not a reflection of the respect I have for him or this game."

The Bills will try to focus on avoiding any further incidents during their bye week before returning to action on Nov. 1 against the Ravens.