C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Alim McNeill are active for the Detroit Lions.
Before their regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, the Detroit Lions revealed two new additions to their roster. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and defensive tackle Alim McNeill were added back to the active roster after being placed on injured reserve. It is anticipated that both players will participate in Sunday’s game.
For the season finale, the Lions also promoted defensive linemen Jason Cabinda and Tyson Alualu from the practice squad. Anthony Firkser, a tight end, has also returned to the practice squad.
After sustaining a torn pectoral muscle during the Lions’ Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Gardner-Johnson is back in action. This season, he has racked up 13 tackles and two passes defensed in just two games. Ahead of the postseason, the Lions will be hoping for a big return from defensive tackle McNeill, who is in his third year. In 12 games this season, he has had five sacks, 31 tackles, six tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a pass defensed.
After sustaining a knee injury in Week 13 against the New Orleans Saints, he was placed on injured reserve. He is qualified to play again this week despite missing the required four games.
For Sunday’s game, McNeill will have a brace on his right knee, which he damaged against the Saints. “I told myself I was going to do it, so I knew I would return at some point,” McNeill said to reporters on Wednesday. Since that was the first game I had ever missed, mentally, it was unusual for me. However, all I needed to see was the guys accomplish what was required of them.”
Dan Campbell, the head coach of the Lions, stated on Tuesday to 97.1 The Ticket that he hopes to include Gardner-Johnson and McNeill this week. Both players’ return before the postseason begins next week will help Detroit’s defense.
Earlier this week, the Lions waived tight end Anthony Firkser and defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs, opening up two slots on the roster.
Buggs’ 2023 season with the Lions was inconsistent. This season, the defensive tackle, who was re-signed this offseason, lost favor with the coaching staff and alternated between being active and inactive during games. Tuesday afternoon saw the initial reports of Buggs’ waiver decision, and the defender made a suggestion about his exit on social media. This season, Buggs has amassed 12 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 fumble recovery in 10 games.
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