Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was thought to be in danger of missing the entire 2023 season after suffering a torn pec in Week 2, but the veteran is set to challenge that timeline.

In a new Instagram Live video, Gardner-Johnson pledged to be back in time for the divisional round of the playoffs, assuming the Lions make it that far. Be warned that the video contains some strong language.

“You’ll see me in the divisional round. I’m gonna come back and tear some s–t up,” Gardner-Johnson said.

A free agent addition in the offseason, Gardner-Johnson had very quickly become a team leader before going down with his injury. So far, the Lions have been winning without him, as they enter Week 6 with a 4-1 record and a sturdy lead atop the NFC North.

Gardner-Johnson spent last season with the Philadelphia Eagles, collecting 67 total tackles as the team won the NFC championship.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Key Knicks forward ruled out for Game 7 vs. Pacers
Pacers' Pascal Siakam leads team to Game 6 win vs. Knicks
Watch: Matt Duchene's 2OT winner sends Stars to conference final
Scottie Scheffler shoots improbable 66 after warming up for PGA Championship in a jail cell
Report: Tua Tagovailoa away from Dolphins amid contract chatter
Nuggets star has worrying comment about latest injury
Paul Skenes makes incredible Wrigley Field history in second-career MLB start
Giants rookie CF to undergo season-ending labrum surgery
Yankees' Juan Soto reacts to Hal Steinbrenner contract talk
Late goal sends Panthers to Eastern Conference Finals
Ex-teammate of Shohei Ohtani placed bets with same illegal bookmaker as interpreter 
Former Rams first-round pick retires from NFL after 11 seasons
Insider provides major injury update on Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis
Watch: Bruins strike first in Game 6 with incredible backhand goal
Dodgers make series of moves involving notable players
Hurricanes not expected to re-sign defenseman, center
Maple Leafs tab former Stanley Cup winner as new head coach
NFL insider expands on competition between Steelers QBs Russell Wilson, Justin Fields
NFL sets outrageous prices for Eagles-Packers Brazil game
Broncos 'very unlikely' to bring back former NFL interceptions leader

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.