Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Ruled out for wild-card round
Rotowire
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
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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: In concussion protocol
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Head coach Ben Johnson told reporters Monday that Gardner-Johnson entered the league's concussion protocol following Sunday's 19-16 loss to the Lions, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
His placement in concussion protocol has Gardner-Johnson facing an uphill battle to play in Saturday's NFC wild-card game against the Packers. Even if he were to log full practices this week, he would be prohibited from playing unless he cleared the league's concussion protocol by passing an evaluation from an independent neurologist. If Gardner-Johnson is unable to suit up, then Tyrique Stevenson, Nick McCloud (illness) and Jaylon Jones would be in line for more snaps in the secondary.
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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Split season concludes
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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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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Could play in Week 17
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Gardner-Johnson (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the 49ers.
Despite upgrading from a limited practice Thursday to a full session Friday, Gardner-Johnson is still listed as questionable for the Week 17 contest. In eight games with Chicago this season, the Florida product has tallied 40 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, three passes defensed, with two interceptions, and one forced fumble. If he's sidelined Sunday, expect Tyrique Stevenson or Jaylon Jones to operate as the Bears' top slot corner.
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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Limited due to knee
Rotowire
Gardner-Johnson (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Gardner-Johnson exited in the fourth quarter of last Saturday's win over the Packers with a knee issue and did not return. The starting slot cornerback's ability to log practice in any capacity is a good sign for his availability ahead of Sunday night's matchup with the 49ers. The 28-year-old will have two more chances to increase his practice participation to avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's contest.
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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Doubtful with knee
Rotowire
Gardner-Johnson (knee) is doubtful to return to Saturday night's game against the Packers, Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Gardner-Johnson exited the game in the fourth quarter with a knee issue and will likely not be able to return to the game. Nick McCloud will likely replace the defensive back in the secondary for the remainder of the divisional matchup.
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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Logs four tackles in Week 11 win
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Gardner-Johnson registered four tackles (two solo) during the Bears' 19-17 win over the Vikings on Sunday.
Gardner-Johnson played every single defensive snap for the first time since Week 1 as a member of the Texans, and he finished tied for the fourth most tackles on the Bears during Sunday's win. In three games with Chicago, Gardner-Johnson has accumulated 19 tackles (14 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and one forced fumble.
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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Exits game with foot injury
Rotowire
Gardner-Johnson (foot) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Giants.
Gardner-Johnson was taken to the locker room, where he'll have his foot injury evaluated by medical staff to determine whether he can return to Sunday's game. Nick McCloud is slated to step into the slot corner position as long as Gardner-Johnson is out of the game.
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Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Records sack in team debut
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Gardner-Johnson posted six tackles (five solo) and 1.0 sacks in the Bears' 47-42 win over the Bengals on Sunday.
Starting at slot corner after being acquired earlier in the week, Gardner-Johnson added a sack and displayed immediate impact. He's a volatile but intriguing depth IDP with big-play upside from the nickel role.
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C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Finds work in Baltimore
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The Ravens signed Gardner-Johnson to the practice squad Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Gardner-Johnson started each of the Texans' first three games this season and played 96 percent of the defensive snaps in that span, but the two sides split ways ahead of Week 4. In Baltimore, Gardner-Johnson will give the Ravens an experienced veteran in their injury-riddled secondary.
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C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Let go by Houston
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The Texans released Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.
The move comes despite Gardner-Johnson playing at least 94 percent of the Texans' defensive snaps in each of the first three games of the regular season, during which he accumulated 15 tackles (11 solo). Gardner-Johnson will explore his next options and should garner interest from teams looking to solidify their depth at safety. M.J. Stewart is a candidate to start at safety alongside Calen Bullock following Gardner-Johnson's release.
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Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Returns to Sunday's game
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Gardner-Johnson (head) has returned to Sunday's game against the Panthers, Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reports.
Gardner-Johnson was evaluated for a concussion in the first quarter of Sunday's game, but he was cleared to return to the contest.
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Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Will play vs. New Orleans
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Gardner-Johnson (foot) is active for Sunday's game against the Saints.
Gardner-Johnson will suit up for Sunday's game despite not practicing Thursday and Friday. He'll serve as the Eagles' starting strong safety alongside Reed Blankenship, with Tristin McCollum providing depth at that position.
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Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Optimistic to suit up
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Gardner-Johnson (foot) remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, but there is optimism he'll be active, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Gardner-Johnson logged a DNP on Thursday and Friday, which isn't typically a good sign for a player's chances to play Sunday. However, he'll test his foot during pre-game warmups where a final decision about his status for Week 3 will be made. Further clarity will come about 90 minutes before the 1:00 p.m. kickoff when the Eagles release their inactive list.
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Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Nursing foot injury
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Gardner-Johnson (foot) did not participate in Thursday's practice.
Gardner-Johnson wasn't listed on the Eagles' estimated injury report Wednesday, but he was held out of Thursday's practice due to a foot issue. His practice participation Friday will provide some clarity on his status for Week 3 against the Saints. Gardner-Johnson has recorded 11 tackles (five solo) through the first two games of the regular season.
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Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Out with shoulder injury
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Gardner-Johnson is out with a shoulder injury that isn't expected to be a long-term problem, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Olivia Reiner of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Avonte Maddox is filling in alongside Reed Blankenship on the first-team defense with Gardner-Johnson not practicing Tuesday. The Eagles have tried a bunch of players at multiple positions this summer as they try to figure out what to do with a deep and versatile secondary, but one of the few sure things is Gardner-Johnson starting at safety.
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Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Productive when healthy in 2023
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Gardner-Johnson recorded 17 tackles and three passes defended including one interception over three regular-season games in 2023.
Gardner-Johnson signed a one-year deal to defend the slot in Detroit, but he ultimately was moved to safety to accommodate impressive rookie Brian Branch before missing 14 games due to a torn pectoral muscle. However, Gardner-Johnson was nonetheless productive when healthy, as the playmaker snagged a pick not only in his Week 18 return from injured reserve but also in Detroit's divisional-round win over Tampa Bay. Now set to become an unrestricted free agent, Gardner-Johnson may have to settle for another one-year contract given his injury-marred 2023.
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Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Officially questionable for Sunday
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Gardner-Johnson (pectoral) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Vikings.
Gardner-Johnson was a full participant at practice all week, so he's likely on the probable end of the questionable designation. Per Justin Rogers of The Detroit News, if Gardner-Johnson plays, it could be as part of a three-man rotation at safety, which he has expressed displeasure about. If he doesn't suit up in Week 18, it could mean an uptick in reps for Tracy Walker.
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Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Looking good for Week 18
Rotowire
Gardner-Johnson (pectoral) was a full participant at practice Wednesday.
Gardner-Johnson has been sidelined for the last 14 weeks due to a pectoral injury he sustained in Week 2 versus the Seahawks, but it finally looks like he'll be available again in Week 18. Detroit can do no worse than the third seed and no better than the second seed in the NFC though, so it remains to be seen whether its starters will play much Sunday.
