The Bills cut C.J. Gardner-Johnson one day after his spitting suspension ended

C.J. Gardner-Johnson served his one-game suspension, and then the Bills let him go. Buffalo released the safety on Tuesday, the team announced.

Gardner-Johnson was ejected just before halftime against the Raiders for spitting toward tight end Brock Bowers, according to ESPN. The NFL suspended him for one game. Because of the suspension he didn't count against the 53-man roster last week, and Buffalo used that spot to sign defensive back Te'Cory Couch on Oct. 31, per the Bills. Couch stays and Gardner-Johnson goes.

Buffalo didn't need him Sunday

The Bills beat Baltimore 36-10 without him. Damar Hamlin and Geno Stone were the active safeties, and ESPN reported that people in the building think they played well enough to earn a longer look.

Gardner-Johnson started all six games he played for Buffalo, with 26 tackles, two pass breakups and an interception. That's decent production. But Hamlin, Stone and rookie Jalon Kilgore all help on special teams, and Gardner-Johnson didn't play a single special teams snap in his first six weeks, per ESPN. Once the suspension was over, the Bills had to choose between him and a cheaper depth player. They kept the depth player.

Another stop

The 28-year-old signed with Buffalo in the offseason. Before that he had played for six teams in five years, according to ESPN, and he won a Super Bowl with the 2024 Eagles.