Buffalo Bills safety and special teams captain Sam Franklin Jr. has successfully appealed his one-game suspension for allegedly spitting at an opponent during the team's Week 6 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The NFL reduced his punishment to a $14,926 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct, meaning he's eligible to play when Buffalo returns from its bye week.
The league announced the revised disciplinary decision on Friday following a review conducted by hearing officer James Thrash, who was jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFL Players Association. Franklin had initially faced a one-game suspension after the league alleged that he spat at a Raiders player after an extra-point attempt with 1:32 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Bills' 33-30 win.
Franklin denied the accusation and promptly appealed the suspension. His representatives, Harold C. Lewis and Christian Addison, also rejected the allegation, arguing that there was no evidence supporting the league's initial decision.
The ruling means Franklin will remain available for Buffalo's Week 8 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on November 1.
The 30-year-old has recorded six tackles this season, all on special teams, across six appearances. He is in his second season with the Bills and his seventh NFL campaign. Across 97 career games, including nine starts, with Buffalo and the Carolina Panthers, he has accumulated 124 tackles and returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown.
Article Continues BelowFranklin was previously fined $9,425 for a blindside block in Week 1, making this his second fine of the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, Buffalo will still be without safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was ejected during the second quarter versus Las Vegas after spitting in the direction of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. Gardner-Johnson's one-game suspension was upheld following his appeal. He is scheduled to become eligible to return in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings.