The Buffalo Bills have officially released veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, as announced on Tuesday. This decision follows Gardner-Johnson's return from a one-game suspension served in Week 8 due to a spitting incident that took place in Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

During that game, Gardner-Johnson was caught on camera by NFL on CBS spitting towards Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and center Tyler Linderbaum, resulting in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and his ejection from the match.

The NFL subsequently imposed a one-game suspension on the 28-year-old, which he completed during last Sunday's victory over Baltimore after the Bills had a bye in Week 7.

While the incident likely impacted his standing with the team, ESPN reports that Gardner-Johnson's release was primarily due to his inconsistent performance in the secondary. The organization expressed concerns over too many “what the hell is he doing” plays, noting that he allowed a 64.7% completion rate and an 83.5 passer rating against him through six games this season.

In Gardner-Johnson's absence, Damar Hamlin stepped in as a starter and is now favored to secure that position moving forward. In the recent win over Baltimore, Hamlin recorded five tackles and defended a pass, showcasing his potential as a reliable replacement.