Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is undergoing emergency tests to determine the severity of a lower right leg injury sustained during practice on Saturday. The eight-year NFL veteran joined the Bills in March on a one-year, $6 million deal and was participating in his first training camp with the team.
General manager Brandon Beane stated that an MRI would be necessary to provide an update on Gardner-Johnson's condition. The injury occurred about an hour into practice during team drills, when Gardner-Johnson went down to both knees after defending a pass. Video footage showed a trainer focusing on the back of his right foot, near the Achilles area.
Upon being helped up, Gardner-Johnson was initially unable to put weight on his right leg. He was eventually escorted to the medical tent and later carted off to the locker room. Social media reports and speculation suggested a potential Achilles tear, although video of him walking shortly after the incident offered some relief.
Gardner-Johnson was considered a significant free-agent acquisition for the Bills, expected to compete for a starting position in a defense led by new coordinator Jim Leonhard. His aggressive playing style and vocal leadership in the secondary were seen as a fit for Leonhard's attacking defensive scheme. Teammates had reportedly embraced the safety since his arrival.
Gardner-Johnson is in his seventh NFL season. He was initially drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2019 and later played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, and Chicago Bears before signing with the Bills. He won Super Bowl LIX with the Eagles in the 2024 season. He turned 28 in December.