Buffalo Bills safety Sam Franklin Jr. suspended by NFL

The NFL has issued a one-game suspension without pay to Buffalo Bills defensive back and special teams captain Sam Franklin Jr. for unsportsmanlike conduct. The league determined that Franklin spat at an opponent during the fourth quarter of the Bills’ 33-30 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Franklin has vehemently denied the allegations and intends to appeal the decision. His agent, Harold Lewis, stated that Franklin is not a “dirty player” and plans to seek exoneration through the NFL’s appeals process, which is overseen by a panel of former players and coaches.

Franklin is the second Bills player to receive a one-game suspension for spitting during the same game. Teammate C.J. Gardner-Johnson was also suspended for an incident involving spitting toward Raiders players earlier in the matchup. Due to the Bills’ upcoming bye week, the suspensions are expected to impact the team’s roster for their Week 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens.