Positive injury news for the Detroit Lions: C.J. Gardner-Johnson is anticipated to practice.
In time for the playoffs, the Detroit Lions may add some players to their roster.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell announced on Monday that the team will begin practicing this week in preparation for fullback Jason Cabinda and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s return from injured reserve.
When his 21-day practice window ends on Wednesday, rookie quarterback Hendon Hooker will probably be added to the roster as well, according to Campbell.
On Sunday, September 17, 2023, at Ford Field in Detroit, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson of the Detroit Lions is prepared to play against the Seattle Seahawks while wearing a ski mask.
Campbell stated, “I believe the plan will be to start C.J.’s clock.” “You should probably also set Cabinda’s clock. Additionally, I believe we will make an effort to add Hooker to the roster.”
One of the top free agents signed by the Lions during the offseason, Gardner-Johnson has not played since he tore his pectoral muscle during a Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. However, Campbell announced last week that Gardner-Johnson has received the all-clear to resume practice.
It is necessary to activate players from injured reserve to the 53-man roster or return them to injured reserve for the remainder of the season after they have had up to three weeks of practice.
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Gardner-Johnson might make his way back into the starting lineup for the Lions’ game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. A victory there would allow the team to win the division for the first time in thirty years. In Gardner-Johnson’s absence, the Lions’ secondary has performed erratically, but Ifeatu Melifonwu has excelled in his past two starts at safety.
The Lions play their final two regular season games against the Dallas Cowboys on December 30 and the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18 after Sunday.
On Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Ford Field in Detroit, quarterback Hendon Hooker of the Detroit Lions watches quarterback Jared Goff warm up before the Denver Broncos game.
About Gardner-Johnson, Campbell remarked, “He is one of the X-Men.” “It is because of these mutant genes that he has healed so quickly. He has regained his strength and feels secure, so it is likely that he will be prepared to leave soon.”
One of the Lions’ best players on special teams, Cabinda, has missed time due to knee surgery that he had in late September.
Recovering from a torn ACL he sustained in November of last year while still in college, Hooker has been practicing with the Lions for the last three weeks, mostly participating in individual drills.
Although Hooker had only taken a few scout team reps prior to games over the previous two weeks, he told the Free Press last week that he considered the work “very, very, very” valuable in aiding his acclimatization to the NFL.
After practices, he goes over a personal practice script with seasoned backup Teddy Bridgewater.
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“I sense that I am regaining my rhythm, going out there and hitting against the same defense,” he remarked. “It feels nice to experience the game’s speed. having the ability to toss real targets, followed by guys who would simply stand there and compete.”
Once activated, Hooker is probably going to be the Lions’ third-string quarterback, with Bridgewater filling in for Jared Goff.
Campbell stated last week, “You can expect him to get a little bit better every week.” “He is undoubtedly raw and needs to improve on a lot of things, but you would anticipate that, would not you? As a novice, he has not experienced any real-time banked reps or anything comparable. Thus, we are integrating him gradually.”
