Player Bio
| HT/WT: 5-11, 208 lbs |
| Birthplace: Cocoa, FL |
| Age: 28 |
| School: Florida |
| Experience: 8 |
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1:56Ran Carthon and Damien Harris SOUND OFF on C.J. Gardner-Johnson's Spitting Incident
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0:58JJ Watt Reacts to C.J. Gardner-Johnson's Ejection for Spitting
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1:592026 AFC East Division Winner
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1:54How Lamar Jackson's Injuries Impact Contract Talks
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3:18Patrick Mahomes Under Pressure After Chiefs Fall to Broncos
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1:59Is the Ravens' Season Over After Lamar Jackson Injury?
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1:36Vikings Face Looming Quarterback Dilemma
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1:34Bills Cruise Past Injury-Riddled Ravens in Week 8
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0:55Ravens Facing Quarterback Crisis
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0:31Josh Allen Throws Touchdown Pass to DJ Moore
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0:23James Cook Scores Bills Touchdown vs. Ravens
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0:27Rasheen Ali Breaks Tackles on Huge Kick Return
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0:29Josh Allen Scores 4th & Goal Touchdown vs. Ravens
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2026 Defensive
| STATS |
CMB
Total Tackles
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INT
Interceptions
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TD
Interceptions Returned For Touchdown
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FUM
Forced Fumbles
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SCK
Sacks
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
Top Chauncey Gardner-Johnson News
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Bills' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Reinstated but may not start
Gardner-Johnson has been reinstated after serving a one-game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reported Monday.
The Bills have been granted a one-day exemption to return Gardner-Johnson to the active roster but it remains unclear what will be done with the free safety. Coach Joe Brady has yet to name a starting safety opposite Cole Bishop for Week 9 against the Vikings, and Damar Hamlin may get the start after displaying strong consistency in the Bills' Week 8 win over the Ravens.
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Bills' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: One-game suspension upheld
The NFL announced Thursday that Gardner-Johnson's one-game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct has been upheld.
Gardner-Johnson's attempt to appeal his suspension was unsuccessful Thursday. The 28-year-old was ejected from the Bills Week 6 game for spitting in the direction of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. Damar Hamlin and Dee Alford will likely see additional snaps in the secondary.
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Bills' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Handed one-game ban
The NFL announced Monday that Gardner-Johnson has received a one-game suspension without pay for an act of unsportsmanlike conduct during Sunday's 33-30 win over the Raiders.
During the second quarter of the game, Gardner-Johnson was ejected after spitting in the direction of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. The Bills are on bye in Week 7, so the veteran defensive back will serve the ban during a Week 8 game against the Ravens. Gardner-Johnson's absence likely clears the way for Damar Hamlin and Dee Alford to see added snaps in the secondary.
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Bills' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Secures key interception in win
Gardner-Johnson logged five tackles (three solo) and two passes defensed, including one interception, in the Bills' 24-16 win over the Chargers on Sunday.
Quarterback Justin Herbert threw Gardner-Johnson a "meatball sub", according to commentator Tom Brady, early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game. The pick resulted in the Bills taking a lead for the first time in the game, with the 17-13 score becoming the closest gap in the remainder of the contest. The safety intercepted the ball at the 1-yard line, likely saving a touchdown or, at the very least, a field goal. Gardner-Johnson played 68 of the team's 69 defensive plays in the contest.
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Bills' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Back to practice
Gardner-Johnson (calf) was a full participant in Thursday's training camp session, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
Gardner-Johnson participated in both individual and team drills Thursday, making a quick recovery from the calf strain he'd suffered in Saturday's practice. The veteran safety should be able to participate without restrictions moving forward as he gears up to play a key role in the Bills' secondary this coming season.
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Bills' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Avoids season-ending blow
Gardner-Johnson (calf) suffered a lower calf strain Saturday, Chris Brown of the Bills Radio Network reports.
Gardner-Johnson was carted off the field during Saturday's practice with what many feared was a season-ending Achilles tear. The news is significantly more uplifting, though there is still no timetable revealed for the starting safety's return. Damar Hamlin and Geno Stone have been receiving a majority of the reps across Cole Bishop in Gardner-Johnson's absence, with rookie fifth-round pick Jalon Kilgore not yet earning a significant share of snaps with the starting secondary.
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Bills' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Carted off field Saturday
Gardner-Johnson was carted off the field to the locker room during Saturday's training camp practice due to a right lower-leg injury, Matt Parrino of The Syracuse Post-Standard reports.
Gardner-Johnson had to be helped into the medical tent after the injury before being taken back to the locker room, where he'll undergo further tests to evaluate the severity of the injury. The 28-year-old signed a one-year contract with the Bills in March in what was a significant upgrade to the team's secondary, so an extended absence would be a blow to Buffalo's defense. Gardner-Johnson was replaced by Geno Stone in team drills.
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Bills' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Links up with Buffalo
Gardner-Johnson and the Bills agreed to terms on a one-year contract Thursday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Gardner-Johnson opened the 2025 season with the Texans after being traded by the Eagles in March of last year. He appeared in only three games for Houston before being released in late September, which led to the 2019 fourth-rounder signing with the Bears in late October. Gardner-Johnson played a key role in the Bears' secondary and finished the regular season with 51 tackles (35 solo), including 3.0 sacks, four pass defenses (two interceptions) and one forced fumble across 10 games with Chicago. He'll now head to Buffalo, where he's projected to start at safety alongside 2024 second-rounder Cole Bishop.
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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Productive after slow start in 2025
Gardner-Johnson totaled 66 tackles (46 solo), including 3.0 sacks, two interceptions and four passes defended across 13 regular-season games during the 2025 campaign.
Gardner-Johnson started the season with the Texans but was released after struggling across the first three games. The 28-year-old ended up signing with Chicago in late October, where he was much more productive, racking up a career-high 3.0 sacks across just 10 outings. Gardner-Johnson is set to become a free agent this offseason and could join his fifth team in the past four seasons.
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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Ready for Sunday
Gardner-Johnson (concussion) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's divisional-round matchup against the Rams.
The 28-year-old from Florida missed Chicago's wild-card win over the Packers due to a concussion sustained the week prior, but it now appears he's cleared the NFL's five-step protocol and will return Sunday. Gardner-Johnson has been a great addition to the Bears' secondary, recording 51 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, four passes defensed, including two interceptions, and one forced fumble over 10 appearances this season. He's expected to operate as Chicago's top slot corner Sunday.
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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Estimated as full participant
Gardner-Johnson (concussion) was estimated as a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough practice.
Gardner-Johnson sat out of the Bears' wild-card game against the Packers with a concussion suffered in Week 18. The 28-year-old still needs to pass the NFL's concussion protocol for a chance to play Sunday, but his estimated full participation in Wednesday's walkthrough is a positive sign for the rest of the practice week.
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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Ruled out for wild-card round
Gardner-Johnson (concussion) has been ruled out for Saturday's wild-card game against the Packers.
Nick McCloud will likely work as Chicago's nickel cornerback in Gardner-Johnson's absence, frequently matching up with slot receiver Jayden Reed. Gardner-Johnson remains in concussion protocol, which he entered following Chicago's loss to the Lions in the regular-season finale.
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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: DNP Wednesday
Gardner-Johnson (concussion) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
Gardner-Johnson did not participate in Tuesday's walkthrough nor Wednesday's practice. The slot cornerback still seems to be experiencing symptoms of the concussion he sustained during last Sunday's loss to the Lions. If Gardner-Johnson cannot upgrade his practice participation Thursday, he will likely be ruled out of Saturday's playoff matchup with the Packers. Nick McCloud will likely start at slot cornerback if Gardner-Johnson cannot play.
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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Split season concludes
Gardner-Johnson recorded six tackles (five solo) in the Bears' 19-16 loss to the Lions on Sunday.
Gardner-Johnson totaled 66 tackles, including 3.0 sacks and four passes defended, including two interceptions, while splitting his season between Houston and Chicago. Durability remained an issue, as he has now missed 27 games since 2021 despite consistent per-game production when active. He is set to hit free agency and remains a low-ceiling IDP dependent on health.
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