The Detroit Lions could really use C.J. Gardner-Johnson back for the playoff push and the playoffs. He's already teased the divisional round and then after the win over the Bears, he said the Bears have three weeks to get ready for him. Now it would appear that we have Gardner-Johnson's actual return date this time and he posted it on Instagram.
That date would be three days after the Lions play the Broncos. It would be on Wednesday. That's the first practice of the week before the Lions play the Vikings for the first time.
Now, it's important to note that just because he's back at practice that week, that doesn't mean he's going to play that week. The Lions will probably want to get him back into football shape that week and save him for the big one the following week when the Lions head to Jerry World to take on the Cowboys. They'll need him for that game for sure.
We'll see what happens, but it looks like Gardner-Johnson is on his way back sooner than originally planned.
More must-reads: