Help for the beleaguered Detroit Lions secondary could be on the way soon. According to head coach Dan Campbell, veteran defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson will be back in the lineup soon.
“He’s going to be ready to go soon,” Campbell said of Gardner-Johnson, noting he’s gotten full strength back in the torn pectoral muscle. Gardner-Johnson was injured in the Week 2 loss to the Seahawks and has been on injured reserve since.
“He’s one of the X-Men. He’s got these mutant genes because he has healed extremely quickly,” Campbell said.
One of the Lions’ key free-agent acquisitions in the offseason, Gardner-Johnon, has been missed. His ability to play either safety position as well as the slot corner role. While rookie Brian Branch has handled the slot role well, the current state of the safety position can definitely use a player with Gardner-Johnson’s ability and energy.
Campbell clearly wants him back quickly,
“The plan will be let’s get him going ASAP. That would be the plan. Get him practicing, getting his legs back under him. Get him in shape, football shape.”
The Lions have not yet begun the clock on Gardner-Johnson’s return from injured reserve. Once they do, the team will have three weeks to activate him to the 53-man roster.
