National Football League

C.J. Gardner-Johnson's MRI clean after getting carted off in practice

Updated Jul. 24, 2023 3:58 p.m. ET

A key Detroit Lions player appears to have avoided a major injury after a scary situation during Monday's training camp practice.

An MRI on C.J. Gardner-Johnson's right knee reportedly showed no structural damage after he needed to be carted off the practice field, ESPN reported. The 25-year-old safety and the rest of the team were "relieved" the injury wasn't worse following Monday's practice, according to FOX Sports' Carmen Vitali.

There was some initial fear though about Gardner-Johnson's injury before his MRI. He suffered the injury in a non-contact, light team drill, according to several reporters. Gardner-Johnson, emotional and in pain as he was lying on the field, was consoled by Jared Goff, Isaiah Buggs and other Detroit teammates.

The Lions made Gardner-Johnson one of their big pickups over the offseason. The defensive back received a one-year deal worth up to $8 million with the Lions back in March.

Prior to joining the Lions, Gardner-Johnson was arguably one of the NFL's best safeties with the Philadelphia Eagles last season. He tied for the league lead in interceptions with six picks even though he missed five games due to injury. He also had a career-high 67 combined tackles, helping the Eagles have one of the league's best defenses during the regular season before playing a role in their run to the Super Bowl.

Gardner-Johnson played the first three years of his career with the New Orleans Saints, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He recorded five interceptions over his three seasons in New Orleans before the Saints traded him to the Eagles ahead of the 2022 season.

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