REPORT: Lions’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson Feared To Have Suffered A Season-Ending Injury

Not only did the Detroit Lions lose their home-opener on Sunday but they have may have lost a leader on their defense, as well.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, CJ Gardner-Johnson reportedly suffered a torn pec during’s Sunday’s loss against the Seattle Seahawks and is now out indefinitely.

#Lions DB CJ Gardner-Johnson is feared to have suffered a a torn pec in Sunday’s game, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo. The playmaker had been a big part of Detroit’s defense. Now out indefinitely, potentially for the season. pic.twitter.com/lpWTKG7rUY

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 19, 2023

Rapoport adds that Gardner-Johnson suffered the injury during the opening drive of the game and was favoring his shoulder as he walked off under his own power. He returned to the game and on the next drive.

The 24-year-old was a big offseason pickup for Detroit on a one-year, $8 million contract.

Gardner-Johnson quickly became one of the leaders in the Lions’ locker room, inspiring the ski mask trend that’s going on in Detroit at the moment. He even encouraged fans to wear blue ski masks to the team’s home opener in Week 2.