Buffalo Bills safety CJ Gardner-Johnson is undergoing emergency tests to determine the severity of a lower right leg injury he sustained during practice on Saturday, just days into his first training camp with the team.
Gardner-Johnson, who won the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2024 season, signed with Buffalo on a one-year, $6 million deal in March.
General manager Brandon Beane said the team would have to wait for MRI results before providing an update on the player’s status.
About an hour into practice, Gardner-Johnson went down to both knees on the field in what appeared to be a non-contact injury after defending against a pass play during team drills. A trainer immediately examined the back of his right foot, focusing on the Achilles area.
Gardner-Johnson was initially unable to place weight on his right leg after being helped up, though he eventually took steps before being carted off to the locker room. Video of him walking shortly after the incident eased some concerns on social media, where speculation about a possible Achilles tear was widespread.
The eight-year NFL veteran had been expected to compete for a starting job in a revamped defense under new coordinator Jim Leonhard. Gardner-Johnson, who turned 28 in December, is with his seventh NFL team after previously playing for the Saints, Eagles, Lions, Texans, Ravens, and Bears.
