C.J. Gardner-Johnson - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Productive after slow start in 2025 Gardner-Johnson totaled 66 tackles (46 solo), including 3.0 sacks, two interceptions and four passes defended across 13 regular-season games during the 2025 campaign.

Impact Gardner-Johnson started the season with the Texans but was released after struggling across the first three games. The 28-year-old ended up signing with Chicago in late October, where he was much more productive, racking up a career-high 3.0 sacks across just 10 outings. Gardner-Johnson is set to become a free agent this offseason and could join his fifth team in the past four seasons.

FEBRUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

C.J. Gardner-Johnson's cryptic post sent Bears fans into a chaotic frenzy Chicago Bears cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson took to social media to send a cryptic post that had the fan base going crazy about what is go...

JANUARY 29 • BEARGOGGLESON.COM

C.J. Gardner-Johnson made a convincing case for what Bears must do with him C.J. Gardner-Johnson stabilized an injured Bears defense in 2025. With continuity at a premium, Chicago should consider bringing him back.

JANUARY 28 • BEARGOGGLESON.COM

Ready for Sunday Gardner-Johnson (concussion) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's divisional-round matchup against the Rams.

Impact The 28-year-old from Florida missed Chicago's wild-card win over the Packers due to a concussion sustained the week prior, but it now appears he's cleared the NFL's five-step protocol and will return Sunday. Gardner-Johnson has been a great addition to the Bears' secondary, recording 51 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, four passes defensed, including two interceptions, and one forced fumble over 10 appearances this season. He's expected to operate as Chicago's top slot corner Sunday.

JANUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Estimated as full participant Gardner-Johnson (concussion) was estimated as a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough practice.

Impact Gardner-Johnson sat out of the Bears' wild-card game against the Packers with a concussion suffered in Week 18. The 28-year-old still needs to pass the NFL's concussion protocol for a chance to play Sunday, but his estimated full participation in Wednesday's walkthrough is a positive sign for the rest of the practice week.

JANUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Chicago Bears Injury Report: C.J. Gardner-Johnson is Back in Action C.J. Gardner-Johnson is among the players on the Bears injury report making their way back to practice.

JANUARY 14 • BLEACHERNATION.COM

For Bears and Packers, wild-card game is a rare playoff matchup in NFL's longest-running rivalry

The Chicago Bears host the Green Bay Packers in a wild-card game and rare playoff matchup in the NFL's longest-running rivalry

JANUARY 8 • Associated Press

Ruled out for wild-card round Gardner-Johnson (concussion) has been ruled out for Saturday's wild-card round game against the Packers.

Impact Nick McCloud will likely work as Chicago's nickel cornerback in Gardner-Johnson's absence, frequently matching up with slot receiver Jayden Reed. Gardner-Johnson remains in concussion protocol, which he entered following Chicago's loss to the Lions in the regular-season finale.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

NFL Wild Card injury report: Updates on Trent Williams, Lane Johnson, C.J. Gardner-Johnson Healthy teams do better in the postseason. That’s a fact. Keeping your team healthy going into the postseason is a really hard thing to do....

JANUARY 8 • FANSIDED.COM

Bears' Rome Odunze and Kyler Gordon appear poised to return against Packers

The Chicago Bears could be getting some reinforcements for their playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, with receiver Rome Odunze and cornerback Kyler Gordon likely returning...

JANUARY 7 • Associated Press

DNP Wednesday Gardner-Johnson (concussion) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Gardner-Johnson did not participate in Tuesday's walkthrough nor Wednesday's practice. The slot cornerback still seems to be experiencing symptoms of the concussion he sustained during last Sunday's loss to the Lions. If Gardner-Johnson cannot upgrade his practice participation Thursday, he will likely be ruled out of Saturday's playoff matchup with the Packers. Nick McCloud will likely start at slot cornerback if Gardner-Johnson cannot play.

JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

In concussion protocol Head coach Ben Johnson told reporters Monday that Gardner-Johnson entered the league's concussion protocol following Sunday's 19-16 loss to the Lions, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com r...

Impact His placement in concussion protocol has Gardner-Johnson facing an uphill battle to play in Saturday's NFC wild-card game against the Packers. Even if he were to log full practices this week, he would be prohibited from playing unless he cleared the league's concussion protocol by passing an evaluation from an independent neurologist. If Gardner-Johnson is unable to suit up, then Tyrique Stevenson, Nick McCloud (illness) and Jaylon Jones would be in line for more snaps in the secondary.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Split season concludes Gardner-Johnson recorded six tackles, including five solo, in the Bears' 19-16 loss to the Lions on Sunday.

Impact Gardner-Johnson totaled 66 tackles, two interceptions, 3.0 sacks and four passes defended across time with Houston and Chicago. Durability remained an issue, as he has now missed 27 games since 2021 despite consistent per-game production when active. He is set to hit free agency and remains a low-ceiling IDP dependent on health.

JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Lions beat playoff-bound Bears 19-16 on Bates' 42-yard field goal as time expires

Jake Bates kicked a 42-yard field goal as time expired, Jared Goff led five scoring drives and the Detroit Lions regrouped to beat the NFC North champion Chicago Bears 19-16 after...

JANUARY 5 • Associated Press

Good to go Sunday night Gardner-Johnson (knee) is active for Sunday night's game against the 49ers.

Impact The slot cornerback was limited in Wednesday's session and listed as limited on Thursday's estimated practice report, but he returned for a full practice Friday. Gardner-Johnson has made an impact in eight games with the Bears this season, recording 40 tackles (28 solo), including 3.0 sacks, three pass breakups, including two interceptions, and a forced fumble.

DECEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Could play in Week 17 Gardner-Johnson (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the 49ers.

Impact Despite upgrading from limited practice Thursday to a full session Friday, Gardner-Johnson is still listed as questionable for the Week 17 contest. In eight games with Chicago this season, the Florida product has tallied 40 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, three passes defensed, with two interceptions, and one forced fumble. If he's sidelined Sunday, expect Tyrique Stevenson or Jaylon Jones to operate as the Bears' top slot corner.

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Still limited Gardner-Johnson (knee) is listed as limited on Thursday's estimated practice report.

Impact Gardner-Johnson was also limited Wednesday, when the Bears last held an actual on-field practice. He's nursing a knee injury that forced him out of Chicago's win over the Packers in Week 16 during the fourth quarter. Friday will represent starting slot cornerback's final chance to upgrade to full practice reps in Week 17.

DECEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Limited due to knee Gardner-Johnson (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Gardner-Johnson exited in the fourth quarter of last Saturday's win over the Packers with a knee issue and did not return. The starting slot cornerback's ability to log practice in any capacity is a good sign for his availability ahead of Sunday night's matchup with the 49ers. The 28-year-old will have two more chances to increase his practice participation to avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's contest.

DECEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Bears show again they're not the same old team with wild overtime win over Packers

The Chicago Bears showed again they're not the same old team with a wild win over the Green Bay Packers

DECEMBER 21, 2025 • Associated Press

Bears stun Packers 22-16 with improbable rally as Williams finds Moore for winning score in OT

Caleb Williams threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore in overtime, and the Chicago Bears overcame a 10-point deficit late in the fourth quarter for a 22-16 win over the Green B...

DECEMBER 21, 2025 • Associated Press

Doubtful with knee Gardner-Johnson (knee) is doubtful to return to Saturday night's game against the Packers, Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Gardner-Johnson exited the game in the fourth quarter with a knee issue and will likely not be able to return to the game. Nick McCloud will likely replace the defensive back in the secondary for the remainder of the divisional matchup.

DECEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

'It is rare you run into people like him': How C.J. Gardner-Johnson is making immediate impact in the community Since signing with the Bears Oct. 29, defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson has been heavily involved in several community efforts, which culm...

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

C.J. Gardner-Johnson says Bears put Shedeur Sanders 'in his place' The Browns rookie quarterback had the worst game of his career against the Chicago Bears’ stingy defense on Sunday.

DECEMBER 15, 2025 • SI.COM

Extends interception streak Gardner-Johnson intercepted a pass and added four tackles, including three solo, in the Bears' 31-3 win over the Browns on Sunday.

Impact Gardner-Johnson has interceptions in back-to-back contests and now has three on the season to go along with 3.0 sacks. With inconsistent tackle totals but frequent splash plays, he remains a big-play dependent IDP with spike-week upside.

DECEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Extends interception streak Gardner-Johnson intercepted a pass and added four tackles, including three solo, in the Bears' 31-3 win over the Browns on Sunday.

DECEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

C.J. GARDNER-JOHNSON NEWS

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For Bears and Packers, wild-card game is a rare playoff matchup in NFL's longest-running rivalry

Bears' Rome Odunze and Kyler Gordon appear poised to return against Packers

Lions beat playoff-bound Bears 19-16 on Bates' 42-yard field goal as time expires

Bears show again they're not the same old team with wild overtime win over Packers

Bears stun Packers 22-16 with improbable rally as Williams finds Moore for winning score in OT