The Detroit Lions could be without CJ Gardner-Johnson, one of their biggest additions of the offseason, for a considerable amount of time after he went down with a non-contact injury on Monday.
While the Detroit Lions was one of the best in the NFL last year and a top-five team in our NFL offense rankings, their defense was their Achilles heel throughout the season. That is why they made improving the defense in free agency a top priority in the offseason.
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For the most part, they were successful as they added proven veterans like Emmanuel Moseley, and Cameron Sutton. Another major addition for the secondary was Philadelphia Eagles safety CJ Gardner-Johnson, a player who had a career year for an elite Philly defense that helped the team reach the Super Bowl earlier this year.
His ballhawk abilities — six interceptions last season — were something the Lions badly needed and he was seen as a player that could have a major impact for the team in 2023. However, that is now in doubt after a practice session gone wrong today.
Detroit Lions lose CJ Gardner-Johnson to non-contact injury
On Monday morning, multiple reports revealed that the new Detriot Lions starting safety went down with a right leg injury that unfortunately did not occur from any contact during a play. The injury was bad enough that he had to be carted off the field and “He was visibly upset and team captains Isaiah Buggs and Jared Goff made it a point to go comfort him.”
Non-contact injuries are never a good sign when it comes to sports injuries. As most fans are well aware of by now, those sorts of instances often mean torn knee ligaments, or on rare occassions a torn Achillies heel. Either would be disastrous for the Lions and mean Gardner-Johnson will miss his first — and possibly only — season for the franchise.
- CJ Gardner-Johnson stats (2022): 6 interceptions, 67 tackles, 8 passes defended
The four-year veteran signed a one-year $6.5 million deal with the Detriot Lions this spring. He had his best season as a pro with the Eagles last season as he tallied career bests in interceptions and tackles in 2022.