Crisis averted after Bills’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson injury panic

Everyone feared the worst when Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson sustained an injury at training camp. But some good news has come out, and the Bills safety is back at practice and running drills, according to Tim Graham of The Athletic.

“Remember when Bills fans were terrified that safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson might be done for the season when he was carted away Saturday with what Internet doctors were saying was a torn Achilles? Five days later, he was back at practice and participating. Bills coach Joe Brady revealed Monday it was a right calf strain, but was vague on Gardner-Johnson’s timetable to return to action. Crisis and mini-crisis averted,” Graham wrote.

That is certainly good news for Bills fans, as the safety has not yet played a regular-season snap. There was some excitement in the air when the Bills signed Gardner-Johnson to a one-year deal.

Gardner-Johnson split time between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans last season. In 10 games for the Bears, he had 51 tackles, two interceptions, four pass breakups and three sacks. In three games for the Texans, he had 14 tackles without recording an interception or a sack.

The Bills signed him primarily to be a high-impact safety that is capable of blitzing and making plays. While his coverage is not the greatest, he has shown he can be a playmaker in the past. Gardner-Johnson has already made a bold declaration before the season began. Therefore, many will expect him to back up those claims and make the plays on the field while staying healthy.