The Detroit Lions made a big splash in free agency when they signed CJ Gardner-Johnson. It was part of an effort to revamp a secondary that struggled last year. Lions fans got some devastating news today as Gardner-Johnson was carted off the field after a non-contact knee injury.
Detroit Lions CJ Gardner-Johnson Carted Off Field
It was the right leg that was injured during the non-contact injury. He was visibly upset as he was removed from the field. This is a huge blow to the Lions secondary. Part of the reason for the offseason hype was the addition of Gardner-Johnson. He was a part of a dominant Eagles defense that got to the Super Bowl. Gardner-Johnson could not only bring high-level play but also a veteran presence for this young secondary. Now, it is next man up.
Does This Change Expectations?
It definitely damages the hype but the expectations are still there. The offense orchestrated by Ben Johnson should be one of the best in the league. The defense still has a good secondary especially if Kerby Joseph can make a jump. If Aiden Hutchinson and the other young players make leaps, the defense can hopefully make up for the loss. It isn’t what you want to happen but football is the ultimate team sport so it is next man up.
The Detroit Lions cannot seem to catch a break. CJ Gardner-Johnson is the latest of many unfortunate things to happen to the organization. It feels like someone in the front office went on an Indiana Jones style expedition and removed a sacred relic that has cursed the team. Until there is an official diagnosis all of this is speculation but it seems like the team will be without the star safety for the season.