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.
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.
... See More... See Less
Bills' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Carted off field Saturday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Bills' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Links up with Buffalo
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Productive after slow start in 2025
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Ready for Sunday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Estimated as full participant
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: DNP Wednesday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: In concussion protocol
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Split season concludes
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Could play in Week 17
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Logs four tackles in Week 11 win
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
Bears' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Records sack in team debut
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Finds work in Baltimore
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Let go by Houston
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Returns to Sunday's game
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Will play vs. New Orleans
Rotowire
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.
