Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson could miss the remainder of the 2023 season with a torn pectoral muscle.
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00:00 On Monday night, it's being reported that CJ Gardner Johnson has suffered a torn pectoral muscle and will miss an extended period of time for the Detroit Lions.
00:09 Here today to analyze that topic is SIL Lions John Macrin.
00:13 John, what does the potential loss of Gardner Johnson mean for the Detroit Lions in their defense?
00:18 Yeah, Cameron, real unfortunate, a devastating injury to one of the captains and emotional leaders of the Detroit Lions defense, a player that was brought in to kind of shore up the back end.
00:30 One of the players that you thought that really fit well with Aaron Glenn's defensive scheme, a tough blow for the Detroit Lions defense after the game with the Seattle Seahawks.
00:40 Losing James Houston to a fractured ankle. Now you lose a player that led the NFL last season in interceptions, a player that all throughout training camp was making it difficult for the Detroit Lions offense, really understanding and having the ability to grasp and make plays in Aaron Glenn's defense.
00:58 Now, potentially Cameron, now you're going to have to potentially turn to Tracy Walker, a player that's himself returning from injury.
01:05 But the Lions, Cameron, what they've done, what they've been able to do is add depth.
01:10 General Manager Brad Holmes has added pieces, especially in the back end, to potentially withstand some injuries.
01:17 You could obviously option one could be to play Tracy Walker alongside Kirby Joseph, or if the Lions deem it necessary, they could also slot back Brian Branch to that position, a player that they feel is very versatile, which then would leave Will Harris to play the nickel cornerback spot.
01:34 You look at everything that's happened this week with the Lions defense, and it's going to be an uphill climb. I mean, CJ Gardner Johnson is an emotional leader.
01:42 I think that he was going to be a player that was going to really acclimate well to Detroit and Aaron Glenn system.
01:48 And I think working alongside Kirby Joseph, the opportunities now are going to be missed to have these young players grow and learn alongside a talented player.
01:57 So for the Detroit Lions defense, they have options, but not pleasant news to hear one of the emotional leaders potentially being out for the rest of the 2023 season.
02:08 Certainly a devastating blow to that Detroit Lions defense.
02:11 John, thanks for all the insight.