With NFL training camp officially underway, teams are preparing for preseason games. However, injuries have already taken place, and now Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered an injury on Monday that involved him needing to be carted off the field, per Lions insider Tim Twentyman.

‘Veteran #Lions DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson went down with a right leg injury Monday & was carted off the field. He was visibly upset and team captains Buggs and Goff made it a point to go comfort him. Hoping for better news than it looked.' 

C.J. Gardner-Johnson was tied for the NFL lead last season with six interceptions and was a crucial part of the Philadelphia Eagles secondary. He then inked a deal with the Lions this offseason for one year and up to $8 million.

Fortunately, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network provided a somewhat optimistic update on the injury to Gardner-Johnson:

‘There is optimism that #Lions DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson's knee injury is not serious, per sources. More tests to come after CJGJ went down in practice today, but as one source put it: “He’s fine.”' 

Additionally, Gardner-Johnson's MRI revealed no structural damage to his knee, and the veteran safety is considered day-to-day, reports Field Yates of ESPN.

Gardner-Johnson began his career with the New Orleans Saints before being traded to the Eagles during the 2022 campaign. After signing with the Lions this offseason, he was expected to bring a veteran presence to a team full of young talent on the rise with head coach Dan Campbell leading the away. The Lions also added secondary help with Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Mosley and inked David Montgomery before trading D'Andre Swift to the Eagles.

While the Lions received a scare, it seems they can breathe a sigh of relief after the latest update on Gardner-Johnson.