Veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson only played three games during his lone season for the Detroit Lions. The 28-year-old might again be dealing with a serious injury after Saturday’s practice.
ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg reported Saturday morning Gardner-Johnson left the field with a lower-body injury. The safety needed support to get off the field.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter added on X that the safety took a cart to the locker room.
“Bills safety C.J. Gardner is being supported off the field,” wrote Getzenberg. “Lower body injury, right foot area that athletic trainers were looking at.
“Teammates came over to wish him well.”
After practice, Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins told reporters the safety was alright. But the team has yet to make any kind of announcement.
Gardner-Johnson played three games for the Lions in the 2023 season. He missed 14 contests because of a torn pectoral.
The veteran safety is in his first season with the Bills. Last season, Gardner-Johnson played for the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans.
Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson Leaves Saturday’s Practice on Cart
GettyFormer Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson left on a cart at Buffalo Bills training camp on Saturday.
Hours after leaving practice, Gardner-Johnson received news that indicated his injury was just a scare.
Schefter reported the safety underwent tests that showed the safety has a lower calf strain.
“Gardner-Johnson went down during an 11-on-11 period,” Getzenberg wrote. “He was tended to by athletic trainers who looked at his lower right leg/foot area.
“After testing out the leg, Gardner-Johnson was supported off the field by athletic trainers while not putting much weight on his right leg.”
There can be a wide-range of recovery timelines for a calf strain. At a minimum, though Gardner-Johnson could be out for the next couple weeks.
The Bills signed Gardner-Johnson to a 1-year, $3.5 million contract this offseason. Pundits expect the veteran to start alongside third-year safety Cole Bishop.
Gardner-Johnson has been a vocal leader at all of his stops during his NFL career. He played three seasons with the New Orleans Saints to begin his career from 2019-21. In 2022, The safety led the NFL with six interceptions while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.
After being in Detroit during 2023, Gardner-Johnson returned to the Eagles for 2024. He registered 66 combined tackles, including five tackles for loss with four pass defenses and two interceptions last season.
Lions Secondary Depth at NFL Training Camp
GettyDetroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is entering his sixth NFL season.
Gardner-Johnson tried to provide his characteristic swagger from the bench during his Lions tenure. Although he did that and then returned healthy for the 2024 playoffs, the Lions didn’t bring back the safety for another season.
The Lions could use the veteran in the back end of their secondary this summer. Both projected starting safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are still recovering from offseason surgery. Each player began training camp on the PUP list.
If Branch and Joseph can’t return for Week 1, veterans Chuck Clark and Christian Izien could play significant roles. The Lions also have safeties Thomas Harper, Avonte Maddox, Dan Jackson and Loren Strickland are also on the roster.
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