The return of C.J. Gardner-Johnson is nigh. Three months after undergoing surgery on a torn pectoral muscle, the star defensive back will be back at practice this week, Dan Campbell said Monday. That will give the Lions three weeks to either add Gardner-Johnson to the active roster or shut him down for the season. They are banking on the former.
"The plan will be to start C.J.’s clock," Campbell said.
Gardner-Johnson's return should be a big boost for Detroit's defense heading into the playoffs. The Lions signed him to a one-year, $6.5 million deal after he led the NFL in picks last season to be a playmaker and tone-setter in their secondary. He played just one full game, Detroit's season-opening win over the Chiefs, before getting injured early in its Week 2 loss to the Seahawks.
The Lions rank 15th in the NFL in total defense and 23rd in scoring defense. They have just nine picks on the season, tied for 20th. Gardner-Johnson had six last season by himself despite missing five games. He will likely slide back in at safety next to Kerby Joseph upon his return.
Campbell also said Monday that the Lions plan to return Jason Cabinda to practice this week, the fullback who's been out since September with a knee injury. And three weeks after starting the practice clock on rookie quarterback Hendon Hooker to practice, "we’re going to try to get Hooker on the roster," Campbell said.
The Lions will have to find a place for Hooker on the 53-man roster without compromising themselves elsewhere. That can be a challenge at this point in the season, especially for a playoff-bound team. The club will want to be fully insured against any injuries that might arise down the stretch.
With Teddy Bridgewater already the backup to Jared Goff, Hooker won't be anything more than QB3. But the Lions want to continue getting him practice reps, which necessitates his addition to the active roster. The third-round pick had a terrific college career at Tennessee and has the tools to develop into a star in the NFL.