The Buffalo Bills have released safety CJ Gardner-Johnson after he served a one-game suspension for spitting in the direction of Las Vegas Raiders' Brock Bowers.
The 28-year-old, whose appeal against the decision was rejected, missed week eight's 36-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
NFL Network reported on Tuesday that the Bills' decision was driven more by inconsistency in Gardner-Johnson's performances than by the spitting incident.
Gardner-Johnson started the first six games after joining the team during the off-season.
He recorded 26 tackles, two passes defended and one interception for the Bills.
Damar Hamlin replaced him in the starting line-up against the Ravens and is likely to retain his place in the team.
Gardner-Johnson has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears since leaving the New Orleans Saints at the end of the 2021 season.
A fourth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2019, Gardner-Johnson helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl in 2024.
