Lions place C.J. Gardner-Johnson, James Houston on Injured Reserve

The Detroit Lions lost their home opener in Week 2 to the Seattle Seahawks. The game ended following a no-call against Detroit’s second-year defensive line star, Aidan Hutchinson. And while that loss hit hard, the Lions are still taking hits following the game.

On Tuesday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed that Detroit has placed two of their starters on the injured reserve list. According to the NFL insider, defensive backs CJ Gardner-Johnson and defensive lineman James Houston have both landed on IR.

Former Florida Gators standout Gardner-Johnson is believed to have suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the 37-31 loss. Houston, on the other hand, was dealt a significant ankle injury on a kickoff. Despite being injured early in the game, Gardner-Johnson was able to return and finish the contest. It was only afterward that it was revealed he had a torn pectoral muscle.

Earlier Tuesday morning, Lions head coach Dan Campbell shared a few thoughts on Gardner Johnson’s injuries and Detroit’s other options at the position while speaking on 97.1 The Ticket.

“I hate it for (Gardner-Johnson). That’s tough, but we’ll see where this thing goes.” There’s a chance he comes back this season. Listen, we’ve got Tracy, man. That’s why Tracy Walker’s here. He’s somebody that there’s a reason why we wanted to re-sign him, he was coming off injury, and it’s next man up. Here we go,” said Campbell.

Houston was injured on the kickoff following the Lions’ third-quarter go-ahead touchdown. The second-year pass rusher out of Jackson State had his ankle trapped underneath him when he was knocked backward on the play. That resulted in a fractured ankle, according to Rapoport, an injury that typically takes about 6-8 weeks to heal. However, it is yet to be determined whether or not Houston will need surgery to repair the damaged ankle.

This season, the NFC North is believed to be up for grabs as veteran and future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers departed for the New York Jets in the offseason, loosening the Green Bay Packers’ stranglehold on the division in the eyes of most experts. With Gardner-Johnson and Houston out for a significant amount of time, that could hurt Detroit’s chances of dethroning Green Bay for the division crown this year.