Lions' Gardner-Johnson day-to-day after non-contact knee injury
Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson is considered day-to-day after suffering a knee injury at practice Monday, head coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday.
"It appears to be that he’s going to be OK. It doesn't appear to be anything serious," Campbell told reporters, including Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press. "So we'll see, the images look pretty good. He may be out a day or two but seems to be OK."
Gardner-Johnson - one of Detroit's biggest signings this year - had to be carted off the field and was visibly upset after sustaining the non-contact ailment in his right leg, according to team reporter Tim Twentyman. However, an MRI reportedly revealed no structural damage to his knee.
The 25-year-old was a top defensive free agent this offseason after helping the Philadelphia Eagles reach the Super Bowl last season. The 2019 fourth-round pick, who led the NFL with six interceptions in 2022, joined Detroit on a one-year, $6.5-million contract in March.
Bolstering the defense was a priority for Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who previously worked with Gardner-Johnson on the New Orleans Saints. In addition to Gardner-Johnson, Detroit signed cornerbacks Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley. The team also drafted linebacker Jack Campbell in the first round and safety Brian Branch in the second round.
Gardner-Johnson spent his first three NFL seasons with the Saints, who traded him to the Eagles in August 2022.