An interaction with Chauncey Gardner-Johnson has gotten another Bears receiver ejected.
Anthony Miller is out of Sunday’s wild-card game between Chicago and New Orleans after smacking Gardner-Johnson in the facemask following the conclusion of a play in the third quarter.
Each player was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, with Miller’s getting him kicked out of the contest, and Gardner-Johnson’s being assessed toward a possible ejection if flagged again for the same penalty later.
The interaction drew a quick ejection from officials, who were likely on high alert considering the history between these two teams. Bears receiver Javon Wims threw multiple punches at Gardner-Johnson in the third-quarter of their regular season meeting back in November, resulting in Wims’ ejection and a suspension. The attack appeared to be premeditated, with Wims walking up to Gardner-Johnson, tapping him on the chest and then dealing a right-handed blow to the defensive back. Replays from earlier action showed Gardner-Johnson exchanging words with Miller and at one point sticking a finger in the receiver’s face.
Though Miller tried to downplay it during the lead-up to Sunday, that conflict carried over to Sunday when Miller and Gardner-Johnson met downfield and Miller took the moment to hit Gardner-Johnson, much like his teammate more than two months earlier. It cost Miller his chance to finish the game.
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