Lions CJGJ Is Still Cocky, Arrogant, Trying to Start Fights in Practice
C.J. Gardner-Johnson returned to practice Wednesday for the Detroit Lions, just four months after suffering a torn pectoral muscle against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2.
His astounding recovery has been something to behold, as his injury is normally one that costs a player the rest of their season. However, Gardner-Johnson's rigorous rehab routine helped him recover quickly.
Now that he's back, he's carrying an edge in an effort to boost the Lions down the stretch and into the playoffs. Along the way, he's remembered what some said about the team when he first signed with the organization last offseason.
"People thought we were going to be (expletive) this year. I look at my comments every day from when I signed," Gardner-Johnson told reporters. "'Enjoy being a five-win team, a three-win team, a four-win team.' Haha, (expletive). I'm still on my cocky, arrogant (stuff). That (stuff) ain't going nowhere. I read the Bible, too. Make sure y'all put that in there."
Publicly, Gardner-Johnson was adamant that he would be returning to the team at some point during the 2023 season.
But during his rehab process, the prognosis wasn't always so bright. When he first learned of his injury, the initial report was that his torn pec would end his season.
The safety finished the game against the Seahawks despite suffering the injury on the first defensive series. With just one healthy arm, the defender was able to power through the injury and finish the contest.
For him to persevere and play four quarters with a significant injury, he was fueled by his intrinsic motivation and confidence in himself.
"How'd I play through it? Let me tell you how I played through it, I'm a dawg," Gardner-Johnson said. "I don't think there's no safety better than me right now. That's why. I feel like I'm the best safety, so I've got to go out there and prove it."
In that Seattle game, the Lions suffered a heartbreaking defeat. Gardner-Johnson delivered hype ahead of that game by encouraging fans to wear ski-masks to the game.
As he returns, the ski-mask may not.
"Bruh I ain't even gonna cap, I think that s**t cursed," Gardner-Johnson said.
Initially, Gardner-Johnson was dealing with plenty of mental strain being away from the team. In his first media session since returning to practice, he shared some of the lows that came with dealing with the long-term injury.
"Lonely, dark, no ball. Just back being around my boys," Gardner-Johnson said. "It's different when you ain't got the things you're accustomed to. Waking up every morning, meetings, having to do a whole different routine."
Gardner-Johnson's return does have some inherent risk, as the safety will be a free agent at season's end. However, he's not worried about what could happen and focused on helping the team win.
"If it happens, it happens. If it don't, everybody knows what I can do. At this point in life, ain't no more proving who Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is," the veteran safety said. "Can he play safety? Can he play this? Is he a team player? Y'all know. Y'all write good articles and bad articles. Let's just call it what it is."
Gardner-Johnson stated that most days involved 14 hour routines, lasting from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. As challenging as it was, the prospect of him returning to action made the difficulties all the more worth it.
That workload was taking its toll, but the defender stayed focused on getting back in action. Now that he's back, he's wasting no time making his voice heard and asserting himself back amongst his teammates.
"Yeah, he's already trying to start fights in practice. That's how you know he's back, though," Aidan Hutchinson said. "That's his personality and that's, when they brought C.J. here, he's the loudest guy in the locker room. So he's back, and it's fun."
Impact on postseason chase
Gardner-Johnson is an elder statesman of sorts on this Lions team. He holds valuable experience having played in the Super Bowl last season.
On a team that lacks that playoff experience, his perspective can be a difference-making quality.
"We've got a young team. When you ain't never win so much, it's hard to keep your thoughts all on ball," Gardner-Johnson stated. "Coach Dan would say we're being hunted, but I don't think we're being hunted. We're hunting that swag still, we're still hunting for what's ours. I don't think a lot of guys understand, you're in a position where you can change your life.
"You're fighting for seeds that you ain't never seen before. Like some guys have, some guys haven't, but I think right now, just come in tighter, tune out the noise. You guys call it the Kool-Aid you drinking, man put that s**t down. Just keep playing ball. Just understanding that this team has the chance to change the city's history and change their history."
The veteran has also been a part of several division-winning teams with both New Orleans and Philadelphia. With the Lions on the precipice of that achievement Sunday, he said he may get emotional should they secure the win.
"Think about it, a lot of these guys haven't experienced a championship. So this is a step to feel like a winner," Gardner-Johnson said. "If you haven't won anything, like it's my fifth year and I've won four divisions. Not to throw it in nobody's face but that's the best feeling. Home field advantage so you guys can enjoy it. It's not for us, it's for you guys to enjoy it and help us win."
