Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) tackles Kansas City Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon (1) in the third quarter of Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Eagles bring back DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson

C.J. Gardner-Johnson agreed to a three-year deal to return to the Philadelphia Eagles after leaving for the Detroit Lions in free agency last year, ESPN and the Detroit Free-Press reported Tuesday.

A demonstrative defensive back who lines up at safety but thrives near the line of scrimmage, Gardner-Johnson missed all but three games in the 2023 regular season because of a torn pectoral muscle. He was placed on injured reserve following the Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks but worked to get back for the end of the season and playoffs.

Gardner-Johnson, 26, can make up to $33 million over the course of the deal, ESPN reported.

Described by Lions coach Dan Campbell as part of the heart-and-soul of Detroit’s defense, the Eagles found out how much he meant to the team only after his exit. Gardner-Johnson was a key starter for the Eagles during their Super Bowl runner-up finish two seasons ago.

Last season, general manager Howie Roseman used multiple avenues, including the draft and a trade with the Titans in October to acquire former All-Pro Kevin Byard, but safety remained a position of weakness through the 2023 season.

By reeling Gardner-Johnson back in, the Eagles fill one of their lone roster needs in a free agency period that includes agreements with running back Saquon Barkley and re-signing guard Landon Dickerson to a massive deal (reportedly $84 million).

Gardner-Johnson was acquired by the Eagles from the Saints in 2022. He played for New Orleans from 2019-21.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (2) with a ski mask ready to take on the against Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-USA TODAY Sports

Lions S CJ Gardner-Johnson has ‘a chance’ to return

Lions safety CJ Gardner-Johnson wants to return to the middle of the Detroit secondary before the end of the regular season, and head coach Dan Campbell is starting to believe he might be ready to do just that.

“He has a chance. Lazarus has a chance,” Campbell said Monday.

Gardner-Johnson had surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle he injured in the Lions’ Week 2 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Last week, he told a few other defensive players he was getting closer to getting back on the field. Rookie safety Brian Branch said last week he expects to see Gardner-Johnson on the field this month.

Campbell said Gardner-Johnson is making big gains in a short amount to the extent that a Week 17 or Week 18 return to practice could be a realistic conversation.

“CJ, man, he’s kicked it into overdrive and he’s healed quick and is healing quick,” Campbell said. “And most of it’s going to be about just is his body ready for that? Will he be ready to do it without re-injuring and is it stable, strong enough? I know this, he’s taken off, but we’ll see.”

When the Lions lost Gardner-Johnson, Campbell called him the “heartbeat” of the Lions’ defense.

Gardner-Johnson signed a one-year, $8 million deal to join the Lions in free agency. He played for the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles last season and was previously with Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn when Gardner-Johnson began his career with the New Orleans Saints.

The Lions are also anticipating defensive lineman James Houston getting back to the practice field later in the month. He is on injured reserve with a fractured ankle.

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) passes the ball in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (shoulder) remains day to day

Quarterback Jalen Hurts remains day to day with a shoulder injury but two key defensive players will return to practice for the Philadelphia Eagles, who can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win in Week 18.

The Eagles host the New York Giants on Sunday with the NFC East on the line as well.

Hurts has missed the past two games and the Eagles have dropped both with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew under center.

However, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and defensive end Robert Quinn have been designated to return from injured reserve, opening their 21-day practice window to rejoin the active roster.

Eagles coach Nick Siranni said the team will know more about Hurts’ status Thursday, adding that the team is having a walkthrough on Wednesday. Hurts will participate in the walkthrough.

“Tomorrow we’ll see a little bit more because we’ll be more than a walkthrough, we’ll be practicing and so we’ll get a better idea here in the next couple days,” Sirianni said Wednesday.

NFL Network has reported that Hurts is expected to play against the Giants.

Hurts injured his right (throwing) shoulder against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 18.

Hurts has passed for 3,472 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions, and rushed for 747 yards and 13 scores in 14 games.

Minshew has passed for 663 yards and three touchdowns while also tossing three interceptions.

Quinn was placed on IR early last month after injuring his knee in practice. He underwent a procedure.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Quinn has two tackles, two quarterback hits and no sacks in five games since arriving in an Oct. 26 trade with the Bears.

Gardner-Johnson sustained a lacerated kidney in the team’s Week 12 game against Green Bay. Acquired in an Aug. 30 trade with the New Orleans Saints, Gardner-Johnson started 11 games for the Eagles and has 60 tackles and one sack along with the career-high six interceptions.

Sirianni also said that defensive end Josh Sweat was at the practice facility Wednesday after sustaining a neck injury in last week’s loss to New Orleans. He was taken to the hospital but released Sunday night. Sweat is day to day, Sirianni said. Sweat has a career-high 11 sacks and 48 tackles in 16 starts this season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 14, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) reacts after intercepting the ball during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles S C.J. Gardner-Johnson injured kidney

Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is out indefinitely with a lacerated kidney, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Gardner-Johnson, who leads the NFL with six interceptions, was injured in Sunday night’s win against Green Bay.

After a painful collision with Packers wide receiver Christian Watson late in the first quarter, he was carted to the locker room and did not return.

The Eagles have not decided whether to place Gardner-Johnson, 24, on injured reserve, according to the report.

Acquired in an Aug. 30 trade with the New Orleans Saints, Gardner-Johnson has started every game for the 10-1 Eagles and has 60 tackles and one sack along with the career-high six picks.

He has 11 interceptions, four sacks and 221 tackles in 54 games (42 starts) with the Eagles and Saints (2019-21), who drafted him in the fourth round in 2019.

Undrafted rookie Reed Blankenship replaced Gardner-Johnson and intercepted Aaron Rodgers in the red zone in the second quarter of Philadelphia’s 40-33 win.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (22) walks off the field at the end of their game against the Carolina Panthers at the Caesars Superdome. The Saints won, 18-10. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Saints trading Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to Eagles

The New Orleans Saints are trading defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to the Philadelphia Eagles, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

Contract extension talks between Gardner-Johnson and the Saints reportedly broke down before New Orleans opted to trade the 2019 fourth-round pick. There was no immediate word on compensation from the Eagles.

Following the acquisition, the Eagles are planning to release starting safety Anthony Harris, according to ESPN.

Gardner-Johnson, 24, is due to earn $2.54 million this season in the final year of his rookie deal. He had limited his participation in training camp while seeking a new deal.

Gardner-Johnson had 46 tackles, three interceptions and two sacks in 12 games (11 starts) last season. He totaled 161 tackles, five picks and three sacks in 43 games (31 starts) over three seasons.

Harris, 30, started 14 games and registered 72 tackles and one interception in his first season with Philadelphia in 2021. He spent his previous six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and led the NFL with six interceptions in 2019.

Gardner-Johnson is expected to become a full-time safety with the Eagles, replacing Harris, after playing mostly as a slot defender in New Orleans.

–Field Level Media