The special-teams captain won his appeal over an alleged spitting incident against the Raiders, but will still pay $14,900.
Sam Franklin Jr. will play in Week 8 after all. The Bills safety and special teams captain appealed his one-game suspension stemming from an alleged spitting incident during Buffalo's win over the Raiders in Week 6, and that appeal succeeded. Instead of sitting out, Franklin has been fined $14,900.
The incident in question came in the fourth quarter, when Franklin and Raiders tackle DJ Glaze got tangled up after Glaze delivered a low shot to Franklin. Franklin confronted Glaze, who then signaled to an official that he had been spat on. Franklin has consistently denied spitting at anyone, and video of the exchange was unclear enough that it was tough to confirm what actually happened.
Franklin's case stands in contrast to teammate C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was ejected in the second quarter of that same game for spitting toward Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. Gardner-Johnson apologized afterward but was officially suspended. With Franklin's suspension reduced to a fine, the Bills now may only be without Gardner-Johnson among their defensive backs when they face the Ravens in Week 8.