Bills' Sam Franklin Jr. Eligible to Play vs. Ravens After NFL Reduces Discipline Upon Appeal

Buffalo Bills linebacker Sam Franklin Jr. will be eligible to play in Week 8 when the team returns from a bye after having his discipline reduced.

Michael Signora, NFL senior vice president of football and international communications, announced on Friday that Franklin's appeal of his one-game suspension was reduced to a $14,926 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct by hearing officer James Thrash.

The NFL announced on Wednesday that Franklin was being suspended for one game due to "an act of unsportsmanlike conduct" during Buffalo's 33-30 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6.

Franklin was said to have spit on a Raiders player during an extra-point attempt late in the fourth quarter.

In a post on Instagram after the league announced its discipline, Franklin denied any wrongdoing: "Not a dirty player what so ever! Will always defend myself though. Still won't spit on anyone!"

"As we said from the start, Sam did not and would never spit at an opponent, and there was no evidence that he did," Franklin's agents said in a statement. "We're glad the suspension was overturned and grateful to the hearing officer for a fair and thorough review.

"It's unfortunate the league suspended Sam in the first place based on an unsupported accusation that received so much undeserved attention, and we hope the outcome is covered just as widely. We also hope the league takes a serious look at the opposing player's conduct, including striking Sam in the groin twice during the game. We're glad this is behind him, so Sam can get back to focusing on his teammates and next Sunday."

Franklin was one of two Bills players disciplined for their actions during the Raiders game. C.J. Gardner-Johnson was suspended one game for spitting in the direction of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers.

Officials flagged Gardner-Johnson for unsportsmanlike conduct and he was ejected from the game as a result of the incident. He issued an apology on social media following the Bills' win.

The Bills are on bye this week and will return to action on Nov. 1 in a marquee matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. Buffalo has won back-to-back games after suffering its first loss of the season against the New England Patriots in Week 4.

Franklin is in his second season with the Bills after originally joining their practice squad in August 2025. He has appeared in 23 consecutive games since the start of last season.

The 30-year-old Franklin has six combined tackles in six games in 2026.