Buffalo Bills safety CJ Gardner-Johnson has been suspended for one game without pay for spitting in the direction of Las Vegas Raiders players on Sunday.
Gardner-Johnson was ejected late in the second quarter for unsportsmanlike conduct following an exchange with a group of Raiders players, including tight end Brock Bowers.
In issuing the suspension, the NFL cited its rule applying to "any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship".
- Latest NFL fixtures, results and UK kick-off times
- Get latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
With Buffalo (5-1) entering their bye week, Gardiner-Johnson's suspension will begin on October 26 and run through November 2, a day after the Bills host the Baltimore Ravens.
The player has the right to appeal the suspension.
Gardner-Johnson apologised to his team-mates immediately following Buffalo's 33-30 win and posted a note on social media apologising to fans.
"I owe my team-mates an apology and to be a man about it," Gardner-Johnson said following the game.
"You got to understand that as a grown man you can't be doing [stuff] like that in a game," he added. "As a vet, I'll be better. I'll take my consequences as it is, handle it like a man and move on."
The 28-year-old won a Super Bowl with the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles and is on his sixth team in eight seasons, and signed a one-year contract with Buffalo in March.
Coach Joe Brady referred to Gardner-Johnson's spitting act as being "inexcusable" and said he discussed the matter privately with the player.
"It can't happen. That's not what we're about. That's not what the game of football is about, and he knows that," Brady said.
Gardner-Johnson arrived in Buffalo with an established reputation of being a noted trash-talker and as someone who has on occasion crossed the line with illegal hits.
"I don't need a roster of everybody being the same person," Brady said.
"Obviously, he crossed the line yesterday and that can't happen. It won't happen again. Personality-wise, I'm not afraid to have people who are going to try to toe the line in everything they do."