Bills' C.J. Gardner-Johnson Ejected for Spitting at Raiders Linemen
The defensive back was penalized and removed from the game during the second quarter.
Buffalo Bills defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected from the game against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter after spitting at Raiders offensive linemen Tyler Linderbaum and Spencer Burford. The incident, which drew a 14-yard penalty for the Bills, occurred while the score was tied 13-13.
Gardner-Johnson was seen exchanging words with Linderbaum and Burford before spitting at them. His ejection occurred midway through the second quarter.
Prior to the ejection, both teams had matched each other's offensive production. The Bills amassed 176 total yards in the first half, while the Raiders had 175. Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 12 of 17 passes for 126 yards in the first half. Running back Ashton Jeanty scored the Raiders' first touchdown on a one-yard run in the first quarter. Kicker Matt Gay contributed two field goals for Las Vegas before halftime, including a 27-yard attempt following Gardner-Johnson's penalty.
The Bills opened the scoring with a 44-yard field goal from kicker Tyler Bass. Bass later added a 28-yard field goal in the second quarter. Quarterback Josh Allen connected with Khalil Shakir for a 9-yard touchdown pass with 7:13 remaining in the second quarter. By the middle of the third quarter, the Bills held a 23-13 lead.