Bills coach Joe Brady criticized the NFL’s disciplinary process after Sam Franklin overturned a one-game suspension for allegedly spitting at a Raiders player. The league reduced Franklin’s penalty to a fine, while Brady said the accusation lacked substantiated evidence and risked unfairly damaging the player’s reputation. Brady drew a distinction between Franklin’s case and C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s suspension, saying replay clearly showed Gardner-Johnson spitting.

By the Numbers
  • Buffalo is 5-1; Baltimore is 4-3.
  • Franklin’s suspension was reduced to a $14,926 fine.
  • The Bills beat Las Vegas 33-30.
Yes, But

Franklin will be available against Baltimore, but Gardner-Johnson lost his appeal and will serve a one-game suspension. Brady said the evidence against the two players was different: replays clearly showed Gardner-Johnson spitting, he said.

State of Play
  • Franklin denied spitting and said video showed Raiders lineman Delmar Glaze striking him below the waist.
  • The Bills return from their bye week to host Baltimore on Sunday.
Bottom Line

Franklin’s appeal spared him a game suspension, but Brady says the NFL must ensure accusations are backed by evidence before they threaten a player’s reputation.