Eagles safety CJ Gardner-Johnson ejected, flips off Commanders fans on way out

Philadelphia Eagles safety CJ Gardner-Johnson had a parting message for Washington Commanders fans after being ejected on Sunday in the third quarter. Gardner-Johnson lifted two middle fingers toward the roaring crowd as he walked off the field.

The rowdy Northwest Stadium crowd only fed on the slight, increasing in noise as Gardner-Johnson made his way into the tunnel. As of this report, the Eagles hold a 24-14 lead over the Commanders.

CJ Gardner Johnson extended his fingers to the fans as he was ejected from the game pic.twitter.com/QSwtJlg9kM

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) December 22, 2024

Gardner-Johnson was ejected after receiving his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of the game. He received his first after Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Johnson hit him in the helmet after the play.

After the official threw the flag and pointed at Gardner-Johnson, the former Florida standout tossed his hands up, seemingly bewildered by the call. Gardner-Johnson must have said something that the official believed warranted the call.

It’s no surprise that Gardner-Johnson was exchanging words with an opposing player. Ahead of the 2024 campaign, Gardner-Johnson was voted the “most annoying player in the NFL” by his fellow NFL players in an annual poll conducted by The Athletic‘s Mike Jones.

While many players can run their mouths, few can back up their words. CJ Gardner-Johnson is one of those rare few. He entered the Eagles’ game on Sunday with 57 total tackles, nine passes defended and three interceptions — tied for the 14th-most in the country.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts ruled out with concussion

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was officially ruled out for the remainder of Sunday’s NFC East divisional showdown vs. the Washington Commanders after suffering a concussion, the team announced. 

Hurts was taken to the locker room after being evaluated for a concussion on the sidelines in the first quarter.

Hurts was hurt on the fourth play of the Eagles’ second offensive series Sunday when he dove head-first at the end of a 13-yard run, his helmet hitting the turf hard as Commanders linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu sandwiched him on the tackle.

Hurts was immediately taken to the sideline to be evaluated for a concussion by team personnel, and backup Kenny Pickett replaced him at quarterback. Pickett capped that drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to AJ Brown to go ahead 14-0 with 7:08 remaining in the first quarter. A 68-yard touchdown run from Saquon Barkley, his second touchdown of the first half, gave the Eagles a 21-7 lead that the Commanders have since cut to 21-14 in the second quarter.

After initial evaluations, Hurts grabbed his helmet and appeared poised to reenter the game, but Eagles officials stepped in and led him to the locker room. Hurts was eventually ruled out of the game midway through the second quarter Sunday.

On3’s Alex Byington also contributed to this article.