What happened: Hearing officer James Thrash, jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA, reduced Buffalo Bills safety Sam Franklin's discipline for unsportsmanlike conduct from a one-game suspension to a $14,926 fine, per @NFLfootballinfo. The original suspension followed an alleged spitting incident during Buffalo's 33-30 victory at the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 18.

Why it matters: The appeal ruling clears the seventh-year Temple product to remain in the lineup without forfeiting a game check. Retaining Franklin preserves secondary depth for Buffalo (5-1, No. 2 seed) while teammate C.J. Gardner-Johnson serves an upheld one-game suspension.

What to watch: Franklin is immediately eligible to suit up as the Bills seek to extend their two-game winning streak.