The Detroit Lions had a rough game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. Not only did they lose the game but they sustained several injuries in defeat.
It was revealed on Monday that safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s injury may end his season.
Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reported that “Gardner-Johnson is feared to have suffered a torn pec in Sunday’s game.” The report added that Gardner-Johnson is “now out indefinitely, potentially for the season.”
#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
Huge loss for the #Lions’ secondary, potentially for the season, sources tell me and @RapSheet. https://t.co/3Eb1E5GlTA
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 19, 2023
The NFL world reacted to the grim news.
Huge blow to the Lions secondary https://t.co/qJwjURJraN
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 19, 2023
Spending some time in Detroit just before the start of the season, there was so much CJ Gardner-Johnson brought to the Lions on and off the field. This would be a major blow to a secondary that was rebuilt and had an identity thanks to CJ. https://t.co/KmyTEjJnXD
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) September 19, 2023
This Lions season went from fun to a disaster very quickly https://t.co/Bzj3axxJAj
— DVE (@DetvrsEverybody) September 19, 2023
came out during the first series and they were working his arm — he played the rest of the game after.
Not sure when this happened but man alive if he played that whole game with a torn pec. Brutal for Detroit. https://t.co/q1n7aW7HsV
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) September 19, 2023
Brutal. Hate to see this. Costly game yesterday.
Time for @TracyWalkerIII to jump in. @Lions are lucky to have a vet ready to go. https://t.co/fpxhVFFRbn— Dan Miller (@DanMillerFox2) September 19, 2023
Unfortunately, Gardner-Johnson’s brief tenure with the Lions has been dominated by injuries. He was carted off of the field during training camp with a knee injury, though it was later revealed to not be as bad as feared.
Gardner-Johnson, who was tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, was brought into Detroit to bolster the defense with hopes of helping the Lions turn into a contender. Week 1’s win against the Kansas City Chiefs seemed to be a good step toward doing that, as the Detroit not only beat the defending champs but limited their high-powered offense to 20 points.
While Gardner-Johnson sustained his injury early in the game on Sunday, he played the remainder of it, making eight total tackles.
