The are losing one heck of a football player in C.J. Gardner-Johnson as he faces a suspected torn pectoral muscle that landed him on injured reserve and could keep him out the rest of the season. Beyond what he does on the field, they’re losing arguably the most vocal leader of their defense, perhaps even the whole team.
Gardner-Johnson came to Detroit on a mission and hit the ground running. He won over this team and this city with his charisma and energy, evidenced by the blue ski-mask movement he sparked ahead of the Lions’ home opener in Week 2.