Let the hits keep coming for the Detroit Lions. Hours after receiving news that pass rusher James Houston was going to be out for the next 6-8 weeks with a fractured ankle, they now have even worse news.
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#Lions DB CJ Gardner-Johnson is feared to have suffered a a torn pec in Sunday’s game, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo. The playmaker had been a big part of Detroit’s defense. Now out indefinitely, potentially for the season. pic.twitter.com/lpWTKG7rUY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 19, 2023
As reported from Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafol, it’s feared that Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson has suffered a torn pectoral muscle. He will be out indefinitely and it’s potentially a season-ending injury.
This off-season, Gardner-Johnson signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions. In a short period of time, he had already made an impact in the community and in the locker room. From donating money to the schools in Detroit to bringing a different type of energy to the locker, it was expected for Gardner-Johnson to be a huge playmaker for the Lions.
Through two games with the Lions, he had 13 tackles and two pass deflections. Against the Seahawks in week two, he had 8 tackles. During the game against Seattle, Gardner-Johnson did head to the medical tent but he returned to the game.
When he spoke to reporters after the game, he had stated that he was “fine.” He played 70 of 72 possible snaps for the Lions defense. Now the Lions will have to look to players such as Kerby Joseph, Tracy Walker and Brian Branch to step-up in the absence of Gardner-Johnson.