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
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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: Questionable to face New Orleans
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Gardner-Johnson (foot) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.
Gardner-Johnson was a mid-week addition to the injury report and missed practice Thursday and Friday, which is an ominous sign for his ability to play Sunday. Tristin McCollum would be in line for an expanded role should Gardner-Johnson be unable to play against the Saints.
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Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Nursing foot injury
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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.
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Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Career year in fourth pro season
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Gardner-Johnson finished the regular season with career highs in tackles (67) and interceptions (six).
Gardner-Johnson totaled five interceptions across his three seasons in New Orleans, but he broke out following his late-August trade to Philadelphia. His six picks earned him a share of the league lead. The Eagles will presumably want to bring him back following his strong first season in midnight green, but he'll be a free agent after the year and could elect to move elsewhere.
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Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Ruled out for game
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Gardner-Johnson (ribs) won't return to Sunday's game against the Packers.
Gardner-Johnson was initially considered questionable to return after being carted to the locker room in the first quarter of Sunday's game, and he'll be unavailable down the stretch. Whether he's available next Sunday against the Titans remains to be seen.
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Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Dealt to Eagles
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Gardner-Johnson was traded to the Eagles from the Saints on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
In a shocking turn of events, Gardner-Johnson is headed to the Eagles in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2023 and a sixth-rounder in 2024. The 24-year-old had been in contract negotiations with the Saints, but the two sides couldn't agree and the Saints opted to move him. Gardner-Johnson played in 12 games with New Orleans last season, registering 46 tackles, including two sacks, while deflecting seven passes and intercepting three more. Anthony Harris was released by the Eagles on Tuesday, opening a starting spot for Gardner-Johnson at free safety.
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Saints' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Seen in walking boot
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Gardner-Johnson (foot) was seen in a walking boot Thursday, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Gardner-Johnson was a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, and it appears as though he's trending in the wrong direction ahead of Sunday's game against Tennessee. Malcolm Jenkins should handle additional work if Gardner-Johnson is unavailable Sunday.
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Saints' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Dealing with foot injury
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Gardner-Johnson is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Falcons due to a foot injury.
Gardner-Johnson suffered the injury in the second quarter of the matchup, though the exact issue remains unclear. Prior to his exit, Gardner-Johnson recorded two tackles and one pass defended.
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Saints' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Gets pick in win
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Gardner-Johnson had six tackles (five solo), a interception and a defensed pass in a 36-27 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Gardner-Johnson's pick came late in the second half, and he was able to return it 26 yards to Tampa Bay's 35-yard line. The short field helped lead to a New Orleans touchdown. Both his tackle tally and 98.0 percent snap share during the contest were season highs.
