It appears the Lions have dodged a major injury scare on the second day of training camp.
Upon further review, there's growing belief that C.J. Gardner-Johnson's knee injury "is not serious," according to the NFL Network. While more tests await him, the 25-year-old defensive back is reportedly "fine."
ESPN reported later that an MRI on Gardner-Johnson's knee revealed no structural damage and that he is considered day-to-day.
There was serious concern that Gardner-Johnson had suffered a significant injury when he crumpled to the turf and clutched at his right knee during a team drill at Monday morning's practice. He was later carted off the field in tears.
It would have been a big blow to the Lions' revamped secondary. Gardner-Johnson, who tied for the NFL lead in interceptions last season and helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl, signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal with Detroit to be a playmaker in the backend of the defense.
"Hopefully he’s gonna be OK," veteran offensive lineman Taylor Decker said after Monday's practice. "He brings a lot of confidence to that DB room. I mean, that guy, he’s a talker, and that’s what DB's do. And he’s gonna make those guys around him better. He’s a confident player. We’ve already seen that in walkthrough, where it’s like, ‘Well, that’s not walkthrough tempo, but it is what it is.’
"So I hope he’s OK because he can bring a lot of value. Everybody knows that he can bring a lot of value to our team."
After a scare, Gardner-Johnson is bringing it all the same.