The Bills got the win in Week 6, but the aftermath turned into something even stranger: Buffalo had two players hit with discipline for spitting in the same game.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson was already suspended for spitting at Brock Bowers during the contest. Now backup safety Sam Franklin Jr. has been suspended for one game as well after also spitting on a Raiders player, according to Bills reporter Matt Parrino.
Franklin is disputing the allegation and plans to appeal, per NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
The league announced the punishment in a statement that spelled out the timing and the rule violation.
“With 1:32 remaining in the fourth quarter following Las Vegas' successful extra point attempt, Franklin Jr. spit at an opponent, violating Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to ‘any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship,'” the statement read.
Video of the play shows Franklin appearing to take a shot below the belt from DJ Glaze. Franklin then goes after Glaze, who points toward an official.
Spitting penalties are rare enough on their own. Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting at Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the season opener last year. Having two players disciplined for the same behavior in one game is even more unusual.
Buffalo is on a bye in Week 7, so Franklin’s suspension will begin on Monday, October 26th and cost him Week 8. That leaves the Bills thin at free safety, with Damar Hamlin the only player at the position not suspended. The team still has time to elevate someone from the practice squad or bring in a veteran free agent.
Bills head coach Joe Brady already condemned Gardner-Johnson’s actions, and it would make sense for that message to be repeated to Franklin as well during the bye week.
Even with the noise, the Bills are in strong shape at 5-1 and look like one of the league’s top teams. They’ll return in Week 8 for Bills vs.
Ravens, set for 1 p.m. ET on Nov. 1 from Highmark Stadium in Buffalo.
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Bills Hit With Another Ugly Discipline Issue As Fallout Grows
The Bills lingering discipline problem grew louder this week after safety and special teams contributor Sam Franklin Jr. was hit with a one-game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct. The punishment stems from an accusation that Franklin spit on a Las Vegas Raiders player after the game, a moment that followed the final extra point attempt and drew no penalty on the field.
For Buffalo, the ugly part is not just the league action but the timing. This is the second time in four days a Bills player has been accused of spitting on an opponent, turning what should have been a routine finish into another unwanted storyline the team now has to manage. [Read more 🡒]