(Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire)
The Detroit Lions’ defense has struggled lately after giving up at least 26 points a game since Week 7.
They’ve also allowed an average of 24.2 points per game this year – which ranks 25th in the league.
But Detroit will get a bit healthier for the final month of the season with one of their starting defensive backs reportedly scheduled to return.
Veteran safety C.J. Gardner Johnson has reportedly been medically cleared to return from a torn pectoral injury he suffered in Week 2 and might be designated to return to the team next week, according to the 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov.
A potential huge boost: #Lions S CJ Gardner-Johnson (torn pec) has been medically cleared and the team is likely to designate him to return next week. pic.twitter.com/muskoWSn9n
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 14, 2023
Gardner-Johnson was a big free-agent acquisition by Detroit this past offseason and planned to play a pivotal role in the Lions’ defensive plans in 2023.
He led the NFL with six interceptions during his one-year stint with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022 and also broke up eight other passes with 67 combined tackles.
Gardner-Johnson had 13 tackles and two defended passes in the first two games for the Lions this year, but suffered the torn pectoral injury in the Lions’ 37-31 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks and was placed on injured reserve two days later on Sept. 19.
Rookie Brian Branch has played well in Gardner-Johnson’s place with one interception and six defended passes since becoming a starter in Week 3.
While the Lions haven’t looked nearly as good as they did to start the season, Detroit still sits atop the NFC North with a 9-4 record and have a clear path to the postseason.
Getting a player like Gardner-Johnson back sooner rather than later will undoubtedly help, especially in the secondary.
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