Bills cut ex-Bears defender C.J. Gardner-Johnson after suspension

The Buffalo Bills released former Chicago Bears cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday. The move followed his completion of a one-game suspension for spitting toward Raiders tight end Brock Bowers.

Gardner-Johnson started all six games for Buffalo prior to the suspension. The team now evaluates its depth at safety, a position where Pro Football Focus ranked him 71st out of 98 players this season. He played that role in the Bills' defense after starting as a slot cornerback for Chicago.

The Bears originally signed Gardner-Johnson last year because injuries to Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson, and other defenders left the backfield thin. Chicago chose not to re-sign him this offseason. The current Bears roster has also suffered injuries, including safety Coby Bryant who is out until at least December and cornerback Malik Muhammad who missed Monday's game. However, the team retains more depth than it did in the previous season.

Kyler Gordon currently occupies the slot position that Gardner-Johnson held last year. Gordon is considered one of the Bears' best defenders. Gardner-Johnson spent parts of the last four seasons with the Lions, Eagles, Texans, Bears, and Bills.

He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints, where he played under current Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. During that time, he once caused two different Bears players to be ejected in the same season. In the ten games he played for Chicago last year, Gardner-Johnson recorded two interceptions and three sacks.

The release concludes his stint in Buffalo. The Bears did not comment on the move. Gardner-Johnson remains a free agent.