Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Logs four tackles in Week 11 win
Rotowire
Gardner-Johnson registered four tackles (two solo) during the Bears' 19-17 win over the Vikings on Sunday.
Gardner-Johnson played every single defensive snap for the first time since Week 1 as a member of the Texans, and he finished tied for the fourth most tackles on the Bears during Sunday's win. In three games with Chicago, Gardner-Johnson has accumulated 19 tackles (14 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and one forced fumble.
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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Dominant outing in winning effort
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Gardner-Johnson recorded nine tackles, including 2.0 sacks and two tackles for loss, in the Bears' 24-20 win over the Giants on Sunday.
Gardner-Johnson has piled up 15 tackles and 3.0 sacks over his first two games with Chicago, immediately emerging as a high-impact defender. His current combination of tackle volume and pass-rush production places him firmly in the elite IDP tier at defensive back.
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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Exits game with foot injury
Rotowire
Gardner-Johnson (foot) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Giants.
Gardner-Johnson was taken to the locker room, where he'll have his foot injury evaluated by medical staff to determine whether he can return to Sunday's game. Nick McCloud is slated to step into the slot corner position as long as Gardner-Johnson is out of the game.
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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Records sack in team debut
Rotowire
Gardner-Johnson posted six tackles (five solo) and 1.0 sacks in the Bears' 47-42 win over the Bengals on Sunday.
Starting at slot corner after being acquired earlier in the week, Gardner-Johnson added a sack and displayed immediate impact. He's a volatile but intriguing depth IDP with big-play upside from the nickel role.
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C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Finds work in Baltimore
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The Ravens signed Gardner-Johnson to the practice squad Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Gardner-Johnson started each of the Texans' first three games this season and played 96 percent of the defensive snaps in that span, but the two sides split ways ahead of Week 4. In Baltimore, Gardner-Johnson will give the Ravens an experienced veteran in their injury-riddled secondary.
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C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Let go by Houston
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The Texans released Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.
The move comes despite Gardner-Johnson playing at least 94 percent of the Texans' defensive snaps in each of the first three games of the regular season, during which he accumulated 15 tackles (11 solo). Gardner-Johnson will explore his next options and should garner interest from teams looking to solidify their depth at safety. M.J. Stewart is a candidate to start at safety alongside Calen Bullock following Gardner-Johnson's release.
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Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Returns to Sunday's game
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Gardner-Johnson (head) has returned to Sunday's game against the Panthers, Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reports.
Gardner-Johnson was evaluated for a concussion in the first quarter of Sunday's game, but he was cleared to return to the contest.
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Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Will play vs. New Orleans
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Gardner-Johnson (foot) is active for Sunday's game against the Saints.
Gardner-Johnson will suit up for Sunday's game despite not practicing Thursday and Friday. He'll serve as the Eagles' starting strong safety alongside Reed Blankenship, with Tristin McCollum providing depth at that position.
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Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Optimistic to suit up
Rotowire
Gardner-Johnson (foot) remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, but there is optimism he'll be active, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Gardner-Johnson logged a DNP on Thursday and Friday, which isn't typically a good sign for a player's chances to play Sunday. However, he'll test his foot during pre-game warmups where a final decision about his status for Week 3 will be made. Further clarity will come about 90 minutes before the 1:00 p.m. kickoff when the Eagles release their inactive list.
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Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Nursing foot injury
Rotowire
Gardner-Johnson (foot) did not participate in Thursday's practice.
Gardner-Johnson wasn't listed on the Eagles' estimated injury report Wednesday, but he was held out of Thursday's practice due to a foot issue. His practice participation Friday will provide some clarity on his status for Week 3 against the Saints. Gardner-Johnson has recorded 11 tackles (five solo) through the first two games of the regular season.
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Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Out with shoulder injury
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Gardner-Johnson is out with a shoulder injury that isn't expected to be a long-term problem, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Olivia Reiner of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Avonte Maddox is filling in alongside Reed Blankenship on the first-team defense with Gardner-Johnson not practicing Tuesday. The Eagles have tried a bunch of players at multiple positions this summer as they try to figure out what to do with a deep and versatile secondary, but one of the few sure things is Gardner-Johnson starting at safety.
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Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Productive when healthy in 2023
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Gardner-Johnson recorded 17 tackles and three passes defended including one interception over three regular-season games in 2023.
Gardner-Johnson signed a one-year deal to defend the slot in Detroit, but he ultimately was moved to safety to accommodate impressive rookie Brian Branch before missing 14 games due to a torn pectoral muscle. However, Gardner-Johnson was nonetheless productive when healthy, as the playmaker snagged a pick not only in his Week 18 return from injured reserve but also in Detroit's divisional-round win over Tampa Bay. Now set to become an unrestricted free agent, Gardner-Johnson may have to settle for another one-year contract given his injury-marred 2023.
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Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Officially questionable for Sunday
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Gardner-Johnson (pectoral) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Vikings.
Gardner-Johnson was a full participant at practice all week, so he's likely on the probable end of the questionable designation. Per Justin Rogers of The Detroit News, if Gardner-Johnson plays, it could be as part of a three-man rotation at safety, which he has expressed displeasure about. If he doesn't suit up in Week 18, it could mean an uptick in reps for Tracy Walker.
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Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Looking good for Week 18
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Gardner-Johnson (pectoral) was a full participant at practice Wednesday.
Gardner-Johnson has been sidelined for the last 14 weeks due to a pectoral injury he sustained in Week 2 versus the Seahawks, but it finally looks like he'll be available again in Week 18. Detroit can do no worse than the third seed and no better than the second seed in the NFC though, so it remains to be seen whether its starters will play much Sunday.
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Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Won't play versus Minnesota
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Gardner-Johnson (pectoral) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings.
Per Colton Pouncy of The Athletic, head coach Dan Campbell noted Friday that he doesn't "see [Gardner-Johnson] going this week" but believes he's progressing well. Gardner-Johnson played the first two games of the season before being placed on injured reserve Sept. 19 with a torn pectoral. He could be back for Week 17 against the Cowboys.
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Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Designated to return from IR
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Detroit designated Gardner-Johnson (pectoral) to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Gardner-Johnson suffered a torn pec against Seattle in Week 2 and landed on IR soon thereafter. He's been working toward a return since and was able to log a limited practice session Wednesday. Gardner-Johnson may not be ready to return Sunday against Minnesota, but his ability to get back on the practice field gives him a chance of suiting up again before the end of the regular season.
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Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Could still return this season
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Gardner-Johnson (pectoral) is looking at a late-December or early-January return, according to head coach Dan Campbell, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.
Gardner-Johnson suffered the injury Week 2 against the Seahawks and his status for the remainder of the season has remained in doubt. However, after fears that he would not return this year, it appears the star safety could take the field again before the 2023 campaign comes to a close. The Florida product will remain on IR for now, but a late-season comeback by the 25-year-old would be a significant boost to the Lions' secondary.
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Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Could return this season
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Coach Dan Campbell said there's a "chance" Gardner-Johnson (pectoral) plays again this season, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
Gardner-Johnson was placed on injured reserve Tuesday. Eric Woodyard of ESPN reports that the Lions at one point feared Gardner-Johnson had suffered a torn pectoral, but Campbell isn't ruling out a return for the standout safety, yet. For at least the foreseeable future, though, Tracy Walker figures to take on an expanded role for Detroit's secondary.
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Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Could be dealing with torn pectoral
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Gardner-Johnson is feared to have suffered a torn pectoral in Sunday's 37-31 overtime loss to the Seahawks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Gardner-Johnson exited the Lions' Week 2 contest a little worse for wear and could be looking at a season-ending injury. More information on his status will likely be provided in the coming days, but in the meantime, Ifeatu Melifonwu or Tracy Walker could ascend into a starting role at safety alongside Kerby Joseph.
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Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Injury may not be serious
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The Lions are optimistic that Gardner-Johnson (knee) has avoided a severe injury, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Gardner-Johnson was carted off the practice field due to a non-contact injury Monday, but one source told Pelissero that "he's fine." That would be exceptional news for Detroit's secondary, as Gardner-Johnson was one of the team's top offseason additions in free agency. Further testing should confirm the severity of Gardner-Johnson's injury in the near future.
