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Dan Campbell: Detroit Lions 'train doesn't stop' because of C.J. Gardner-Johnson injury
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- Dan Campbell: Detroit Lions 'train doesn't stop' because of C.J. Gardner-Johnson injury
C.J. Gardner-Johnson will undergo surgery on his torn pectoral muscle , but the Detroit Lions aren't ruling out a return for the safety later this season.
"Don't quite know," Lions coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday. "But I know that the reports that we've gotten back on it is that it was a very clean injury and that's normally good for surgery, recovery, all of those things. So I certainly think that there's a chance that we get him back."
Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (2) walks off the field after 37-31 loss to Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
Gardner-Johnson tore his pec on the opening series of the Lions' Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks but played 70 of a possible 72 defensive snaps in the game.
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Torn pectoral muscles typically take three to four months to recover from, though players who are able to rehab the injury in lieu of surgery can return sooner.
Gardner-Johnson, who will be a free agent after the season, was one of the Lions' key offseason additions and Campbell said his absence will "hurt" the team in a variety of ways.
"He's an impactful player and his energy is infectious," Campbell said. "And look, I hate it for him. I hate it for him, hate it for us, but man, this train doesn't stop. And so, with that, I think him being around has definitely made guys better, those around him better."
Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (2) tries to make an interception for a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.
Tracy Walker, a defensive starter for most of the past four seasons, will take Gardner-Johnson's spot at safety and make his first start since tearing his Achilles tendon last September this Sunday when the Lions host the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field.
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Walker played nine defensive snaps against the Seahawks and made one tackle.
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"Having a guy like Tracy, who's got time on task, somebody we got a lot of faith in, trust it, that alleviates a lot of pressure and stress for us, cause we know he's game ready, he's been in it, he hasn't batted one eye at it," Campbell said. "He just goes to work, and he does anything we ask him to do. He's been playing special teams, been playing for us a little bit here so certainly he's taken on a big role now. We have a ton of faith in Trace, so he's another guy I'm glad he's here with us."
Campbell said outside linebacker James Houston, who fractured his fibula while covering a kick against the Seahawks, has a similar timetable to recovery as Gardner-Johnson in that it's possible he returns late in the season.
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The Lions placed both players on IR on Tuesday.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions hoping C.J. Gardner-Johnson can play again this year
