The New Orleans Saints only reported one roster move on Friday’s daily update to the NFL transactions wire, but it’s a big one: the return of defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson from reserve/COVID-19.
Gardner-Johnson was designated to the reserve list before Week 17’s game with the Carolina Panthers, forcing the Saints to reshuffle their secondary for the regular season finale. One of those changes was the debut of practice squad cornerback Grant Haley, who bagged his first career interception in the game.
But getting Gardner-Johnson back now is critical. The second-year safety out of Florida has played more snaps from the slot than any other New Orleans defender, dealing out most of his damage in run defense.