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Chauncey Gardner-Johnson

Eagles CB Avonte Maddox Facing Extended Absence

December 26th, 2022 at 9:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

Already spending a chunk of this season on IR, Avonte Maddox may be headed back. The Eagles lost the veteran cornerback to a toe injury Saturday, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report the injury is believed to be significant (Twitter link).

The Eagles used one of their IR activations on Maddox earlier this month, and the fifth-year corner played in three games upon returning. Maddox underwent an MRI on Monday and is out indefinitely, per NFL.com. He could go back on IR and return, but the 13-2 team has other players ahead in its IR queue.

[RELATED: Jalen Hurts Targeting Week 17 Return]

One of those is C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who could be an option to replace Maddox in the slot. Gardner-Johnson, acquired via trade from New Orleans this summer, is eligible to return from IR this week. Nick Sirianni stopped short of ensuring that would happen, however. Gardner-Johnson, who has shifted to safety in his first Philly season, is out because of a lacerated kidney. The former Saints slot defender has missed the past four Eagles games.

Maddox and Gardner-Johnson are part of the Eagles’ first-string secondary, joining Darius Slay, James Bradberry and Marcus Epps. Maddox finished with two tackles for loss against the Cowboys. He suffered an ankle injury against the Texans last month and returned from IR when first eligible. It remains to be seen if the Eagles will move him back to IR and/or if this toe problem would allow for a late-season return.

The Eagles can activate three more players from IR this season. In addition to Gardner-Johnson, Robert Quinn is on Philly’s injured list. He is eligible to return in Week 18. Hurts missed Week 16 but is not on IR.

Eagles Activate DT Jordan Davis From IR

December 3rd, 2022 at 5:59pm CST by Ely Allen

Philadelphia announced today that it will be activating first-round defensive tackle Jordan Davis off of injured reserve following a four-week stint off the active roster. In a corresponding move, the Eagles placed safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on IR.

Davis started off his rookie season coming off the bench behind Eagles starting defensive tackles Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave. Philadelphia couldn’t keep the No. 13 overall pick off the field, though, and soon began starting all three players each game.

In Davis’s absence, the Eagles turned to Marlon Tuipulotu until he found his way to the IR, as well, with a torn meniscus. The team then turned to Linval Joseph after signing him and fellow veteran Ndamukong Suh in consecutive days. It’s reasonable to expect Davis to return to the starting lineup alongside Cox and Hargrave in his return, returning Joseph to backup duties with Suh. It’s speculative, but Davis returning as soon as he is eligible could be a strong sign that he is completely ready to return with no lingering effects from the high ankle sprain that landed him on IR in the first place.

Following news that Gardner-Johnson, the team’s starting safety, would be out indefinitely with a lacerated kidney, his placement on IR doesn’t come as much of a surprise. If he can make a speedy recovery, Gardner-Johnson should be eligible to return in time for the final two games of the regular season and a likely Eagles postseason run.

The league’s interceptions-leader will likely be replaced by undrafted rookie out of Middle Tennessee Reed Blankenship. Although it seems like a big downgrade on paper, Blankenship showed his potential almost immediately, intercepting Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shortly after coming into last week’s game to replace Gardner-Johnson.

In addition to the two IR transactions, the Eagles have also promoted linebacker Christian Elliss from the practice squad as a standard gameday elevation for this week’s matchup against the Titans.

Eagles’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson Out Indefinitely

November 29th, 2022 at 8:55am CST by Adam La Rose

Sunday night’s win over the Packers moved the Eagles to 10-1 on the season, but the team’s secondary will likely be without a key contributor for the time being. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson has a lacerated kidney, and is out indefinitely, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link).

The 24-year-old will not require surgery, but more testing will be required to determine a firm recovery timeline. Pelissero notes that Gardner-Johnson is expected to return at some point this season, while ESPN’s Tim McManus tweets that the Eagles have yet to decide whether or not an IR stint is forthcoming. An absence of any length, though, will be noteworthy for the NFC leaders given his production this season.

The former fourth-rounder spent the first three years of his career in New Orleans, where he saw time both as a safety and slot corner. His five interceptions and 28 pass breakups over that span made him one of the team’s top young players, but a hold-in during training camp led to extension talks breaking down. That opened the door to a change of scenery for the final year of his rookie contract, especially given Philadelphia’s reported interest in adding on the backend of their defense.

The Eagles sent a 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 sixth-rounder to the Saints to land the Florida product, a move which has paid immediate dividends. Playing exclusively as a safety, Gardner-Johnson has notched a league-leading six interceptions in 2022, adding eight pass deflections and 60 total tackles. He will be difficult to replace given that level of production, though the Eagles can afford to be cautious with his recovery given their all-but assured place in the postseason. Undrafted rookie Reed Blankenship will likely step into a starting role, after he filled in for Gardner-Johnson following the injury on Sunday.

If the Eagles do choose to go the IR route, Gardner-Johnson would be unavailable for at least four weeks. The team is in relatively good shape with six of their eight activations remaining, though that number will drop in the near future. The team is expecting both tight end Dallas Goedert and defensive tackle Jordan Davis to be healthy by the end of the regular season. If the same holds true for their recently-acquired ball hawk, a deep playoff run could be in the cards.

Latest On C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s Potential Extension With Eagles

August 31st, 2022 at 5:55pm CST by Ben Levine

C.J. Gardner-Johnson‘s contract isn’t expected to be an issue in Philadelphia, but it remains to be seen if the Eagles will extend the recently acquired defensive back. As Zach Berman and Bo Wulf write, while Eagles GM Howie Roseman didn’t specifically discuss Gardner-Johnson’s contract status today, he said he would “never want to rule anything out” when it comes to a potential extension.

[RELATED: Eagles Acquire DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson From Saints]

Gardner-Johnson was only available in the first place because his contract talks with the Saints hit an impasse. As Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com tweets, the player and the Saints were about $4MM apart in negotiations. New Orleans ultimately decided to prioritize other impending extensions and deal from a position of strength, leading to their trade with Philadelphia.

While the impending free agent was pushing for a deal in New Orleans, it’s still uncertain if he’ll get a new contract in Philly. As Berman and Wulf write, the Eagles have “consummated others deals contingent upon a new contract,” so it wouldn’t be shocking if a new deal suddenly materialized. On the flip side, the team also didn’t give up a significant haul (like they did for, say, A.J. Brown), so an extension wouldn’t appear to be a “necessity,” per the writers. Plus, while Gardner-Johnson was negotiating as a slot cornerback in New Orleans, he’s expected to play safety in Philadelphia, which could set him up for an even bigger pay day if he performs well at the position. As a result, the player may just prefer to just hit free agency next offseason.

With Gardner-Johnson now on the roster, the organization had to make some tough decisions at the position. The Eagles ultimately moved on from veteran Anthony Harris, who was released and later re-signed this summer. He was expected to serve as a starting safety, but with the emergence of Marcus Epps and the acquisition of Gardner-Johnson, Harris was ultimately eyeing a backup role. However, Roseman seemed to hint that a reunion could still be in order.

“We felt like since there was a possibility that his role had changed from when we had signed him, that because we were looking at options, he also deserved to kind of look at options himself,” Roseman said. “Obviously, you don’t want to close any doors on anyone or anything right now at this time.”

Eagles Acquire DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson From Saints

August 30th, 2022 at 11:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Saints are trading one of their top defensive backs to the Eagles. C.J. Gardner-Johnson is heading to Philadelphia, according to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The teams have since announced the deal.

Gardner-Johnson, who has played both safety and patrolled the slot for the Saints, staged a hold-in effort earlier in camp as he angled for an extension. Talks broke down, and the Saints are bailing on the talented defender.

It did not take too much in the way of compensation for this trade to go down. The Eagles are sending a 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 sixth to the Saints for Gardner-Johnson and a 2025 seventh, Pelissero tweets. The 2024 sixth will be the lower of the Eagles’ two selections in that round.

The Eagles actually see Gardner-Johnson as a safety, Pelissero tweets. He will pair with Marcus Epps, who finished a strong training camp, at the position. A report earlier this month indicated the Eagles could acquire a safety, but Gardner-Johnson has largely excelled in the slot prior to this trade.

This will make for an interesting transition for the fourth-year veteran, especially coming in a contract year. Safety, however, as the Jamal Adams, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derwin James deals have shown, has proven to be a more lucrative position than slot corner.

Tuesday’s deal also marks the third splash trade for the Eagles this offseason; the Saints have now been involved in two of those moves. This trade comes after the move to acquire A.J. Brown and the deal to land a future first-rounder from the Saints. No word about a potential Gardner-Johnson extension has come down. The Eagles could wait here, but Jalen Hurts‘ rookie contract also offers some flexibility. The team also has no notable cash tied to the safety position, having just released Anthony Harris.

While Pro Football Focus has rated Gardner-Johnson outside the top 50 at cornerback in each of the past two years, he carved out a regular role amongst a veteran Saints DB corps. The former fourth-round pick has also become known for his ability to rile up opposition — both opponents and teammates, considering Michael Thomas‘ 2020 team-imposed suspension came after he threw a punch at Gardner-Johnson. It will be interesting to see how he fares in Philly.

The Saints have assembled a deep secondary in recent years, and NOLA.com’s Jeff Duncan tweets rookie Alontae Taylor is one of the players — along with Bradley Roby and former slot P.J. Williams — who have worked inside replacing Gardner-Johnson during camp. The team also already has a big-ticket cornerback deal (Marshon Lattimore) in a secondary that also now includes Tyrann Mathieu‘s $9MM-AAV deal.

Saints’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson Attempting To Secure New Deal

August 3rd, 2022 at 11:59am CST by Sam Robinson

The Saints’ defensive back equation includes two new safeties, has two recent Day 2 draftees and is anchored by perennial Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore. But a former fourth-round pick is set to carry a substantial workload.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson is on track to reprise his role as New Orleans’ slot cornerback, a job at which he has become one of the game’s best. The fourth-year veteran is entering his contract season, and he looks to be joining the hold-in trend. Gardner-Johnson is reducing his training camp workload as he aims to secure a new deal, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football reports (on Twitter). This move comes after Gardner-Johnson stayed away from the Saints’ voluntary offseason workouts.

It is not clear by how much Gardner-Johnson will tamp down his practice work, but players have laid out the hold-in game plan since the 2020 CBA made holding out much more difficult. Derwin James, Diontae Johnson and Roquan Smith are staging hold-in efforts, while D.K. Metcalf and Deebo Samuel began their respective training camps doing so. Metcalf and Samuel’s efforts resulted in quick extensions. The other three players here have not been rewarded yet. In Johnson’s case, it is unclear if the team plans to do so.

Gardner-Johnson, whom Pro Football Focus rated as the NFL’s No. 5 slot corner, played 626 defensive snaps last season. A midseason foot injury led to an IR stay, but the plus defender/high-end trash talker returned to help New Orleans’ finish — one that included a Week 15 shutout win in Tampa. Gardner-Johnson’s 24 plays on the ball from the slot lead the league since 2019, when the Florida alum entered the league. He finished with a career-high three interceptions in 2021 and posted a career-best mark in passer rating allowed as the closest defender, holding quarterbacks to a collective 67.7 mark.

The Saints have some notable cash allocated to their secondary, which includes a few veteran contracts. However, only Lattimore — at $19.4MM per year — is tied to a big-ticket deal. Both Tyrann Mathieu and Bradley Roby are attached to mid-tier accords at their respective positions.

Slot corners also are not presently expensive. Gardner-Johnson’s decision follows Kenny Moore lobbying for a raise earlier this offseason. While Moore is participating fully in Colts camp, the Pro Bowl slot and Indianapolis are not close on terms. Slot players are still maxing out below the eight-figure-per-year mark. It would seem that status will change soon, with Moore’s contract year coming in 2023. But Gardner-Johnson could get there first, depending on how the Saints value his skillset.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/11/21

December 11th, 2021 at 4:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here is how teams finalized their Week 14 rosters:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/8/21

December 8th, 2021 at 7:46pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Designated for return: G D’Ante Smith, CB Trae Waynes

Denver Broncos

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Washington Football Team

Injury Notes: Fields, Saints, Seahawks

November 22nd, 2021 at 10:51pm CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like Andy Dalton will be back in the lineup for the Bears on Thursday night. The veteran quarterback is expected to get the start for Chicago later this week, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).

Rookie Justin Fields is currently dealing with a rib injury, thrusting Dalton back into the starting lineup. The 34-year-old has barely seen the field since starting Chicago’s first two games. Since then, Dalton has appeared in two contests, completing 12 of his 24 pass attempts for 209 yards and two touchdowns.

Fortunately, it sounds like it’s more of a timing thing for Fields than anything else. The rookie spent the day undergoing more testing on his rib injury, but the turnaround time will ultimately keep Fields out of the lineup. Rapoport adds that the young QB has “been making major strides,” and it sounds like he’ll be back for the Bears before long. Fields has started eight of his 10 games this season, throwing four touchdowns vs. eight interceptions.

More injury notes from around the NFL:

  • Saints tight end Adam Trautman had a career day yesterday, but it came at a cost. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Trautman suffered a sprained MCL that will keep him sidelined for the next four to six weeks. Presumably, the former third-round pick will end up seeing a stint on the injured reserve. Trautman had a standout game on Sunday against the Eagles, finishing with five catches for 58 yards and one touchdown.
  • Saints defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson landed on injured reserve a few weeks back, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll be sidelined for much more than the three required weeks. Rapoport tweets that Garden-Johnson’s expected recovery time from his foot injury is only three to four weeks. The 23-year-old started each of the Saints first seven games this season.
  • Saints quarterback Jameis Winston underwent surgery on his ACL earlier this month, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweets that the procedure “did not include an MCL repair.” While there was damage to the MCL, doctors believe the ligament was still strong enough to heal on its own.
  • Seahawks rookie cornerback Tre Brown is likely done for the season, as Pete Carroll acknowledged that Brown will likely require season-ending knee surgery. “This is just the day after and it looks like surgery is imminent,” Carroll said (h/t Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com). “Yeah, so he would be [done for the year].” The fourth-round pick has gotten into five games (three starts) this season, collecting 10 tackles and one pass defended.

Saints Move Chauncey Gardner-Johnson To IR, Activate Ken Crawley

November 13th, 2021 at 4:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Saints will be without one of their secondary starters for a stretch. They placed Chauncey Gardner-Johnson on IR. The young defensive back is down with a foot injury.

Although Gardner-Johnson may be known more for inducing punches from wide receivers at this point in his career, the third-year defender has been a key presence in New Orleans’ veteran-laden secondary. The former fourth-round pick has started seven games for the Saints this season, working in multiple capacities — including the slot position.

Gardner-Johnson has made 26 tackles, one sack and an interception this season. The Saints have fellow corner/safety hybrid P.J. Williams capable of manning the slot as well, and the team activated veteran Ken Crawley off injured reserve Saturday.

Crawley has been with the Saints for most of his career, beginning with the team in 2016, but has played just one game this season. In addition to his IR stay, Crawley spent two weeks on the Saints’ reserve/COVID-19 list.

New Orleans also promoted wide receiver Kevin White from its practice squad and waived defensive lineman Christian Ringo. The team also promoted offensive lineman Will Clapp ahead of its Week 10 matchup with Tennessee. The Saints are set to be without left tackle Terron Armstead against the Titans.

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