The Detroit Lions have designated their elite defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson for return from injured reserve. He has a 21-day window to be activated off injured reserve. If he isn’t activated in that time frame, he will miss the remainder of the season.
The Detroit Lions defensive back suffered a major injury in Week 2.
Gardner-Johnson suffered a torn pectoral in their Week 2 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks and was placed on injured reserve on September 19.
He got surgery a week after the injury and rehabbed for the next three months hoping to return before the end of the season.
Head coach Dan Campbell expressed optimism that Gardner-Johnson could return this season on September 20:
“Don’t quite know, but I know that the reports that we’ve gotten back on it is that it was a very clean injury and that’s normally good for surgery, recovery, all of those things, so I certainly think there’s a chance that we get him back.”
Who replaced him?
Detroit’s 2nd round pick, Brian Branch, has filled in for the injured Gardner-Johnson. The rookie defense back is having a great rookie season. He has 63 tackles, seven for a loss, two interceptions, one pick-six, and eight pass deflections. He is 33/54 for 320 yards, four touchdowns, and a passer rating of 87 in coverage. He also has a 71.7. PFF Grade.
Gardner-Johnson was recently medically cleared.
Gardner-Johnson was medically cleared to return to practice last week. Dan Campbell expressed joy that he was cleared:
“It’s great news. He’s one of the X-Men. He’s got these mutant genes, because he has healed extremely quickly. And it is, he’s gotten the strength back, it is secure, and so yeah, he’s going to be ready to go here pretty soon.”
Gardner-Johnson returned to practice yesterday.
Gardner-Johnson was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice. He was happy to return:
“Back in effect. I’m just glad to be back in my element. I wasn’t myself being away from ball. Being around the guys and seeing them win has been keeping me up.”
When will Gardner-Johnson return?
Gardner-Johnson isn’t expected to play in their Week 16 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings but could return in their Week 17 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. If not, he will be available when the playoffs start.
Detroit can clinch a playoff berth this week.
The Detroit Lions are 1st place in the NFC North with a 10-4 record and are 3rd in the NFC Playoff Picture. They can clinch a playoff berth this week if the Rams lose/tie vs. the Saints or the Seahawks lose/tie vs. the Titans.
They can clinch a playoff berth and the NFC North division title if they defeat Minnesota this week.
This would be their first NFC North title since 1993.
Getting C.J. Gardner-Johnson back in the lineup increases their chances of making a deep playoff run.
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