The Chicago Bears were inside practicing through the bad storms on Day 4 of training camp, but one of their former defensive backs was dealing with far worse news elsewhere.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson was hurt at Buffalo Bills training camp and had to be carted off the field, according to ESPN Bills reporter Alaina Getzenberg. Bills trainers were working around the right foot area as they dealt with what appeared to be a lower-body injury.
It’s a tough turn for a player who made a major impact in Chicago after arriving in the middle of the 2025 season to take over at nickel for Kyler Gordon. That move paid off for general manager Ryan Poles. In 10 games with the Bears, Gardner-Johnson put together 51 tackles, five tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, four pass deflections, three sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble.
Gardner-Johnson signed with Buffalo in the offseason on a one-year, $6 million deal, with the expectation that he would start in the secondary and provide the same kind of flexible role he handled in Chicago. For now, that plan is in question, and his injury status is not known.
He had become a valued piece for the Bears because he fit exactly what defensive coordinator Dennis Allen wanted. Gardner-Johnson could work in the box and shift around the secondary wherever he was needed.
Chicago, meanwhile, has moved on with a revamped secondary. The Bears added Coby Bryant and rookie Dillon Thieneman as the new starting safeties, while Cam Lewis and rookie Malik Muhammad came in at corner with some versatility built into their roles. Gordon’s injury had already left Chicago in a tough spot last year, with Jaylon Johnson also missing time, and Gardner-Johnson wound up being a key part of helping the Bears get through it and reach the playoffs.
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