C.J. Gardner-Johnson Announces Decision on New Name

Gardner-Johnson will be going by a new name.

Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson will be changing his name to "Ceedy Duce," he announced Friday on social media. 

A social media post implied that the veteran is in the process of obtaining court documents to change his name legally. 

Gardner-Johnson returned to the Lions facility Friday amidst his rehab for a torn pec. He was observed supporting the defense and connecting with his teammates.

"It means a lot," said Jerry Jacobs. "He told us he was gonna be here this week. But, he popped up today almost out the blue. You don't have that loudness, and you don't have that funniness around and all that stuff. It's a great feeling, and was happy to see him." 

Gardner-Johnson's absence has been felt throughout the Lions' recent stretch. The physical, ball-hawking safety was missed Sunday, as the team struggled in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens. 

Players like Jacobs are eagerly anticipating a potential return from the veteran safety at some point late in the year. 

"Hell yeah. It's a crazy thing. The dude that just keeps saying when he's coming back, and he keeps saying it, that means he really wants to come back. He's gonna push forward and get back. (Expletive), if we can get him back, he had a good successful surgery and stuff like that, I would love to have him back," Jacobs added. 

Despite the difficulties in the loss to Baltimore, Detroit's defense is eager to bounce back against Las Vegas in Week 8. 

"We don't really stick on that game, and we're really going to put that behind us, we really actually did," Jacobs explained. "You don't see anyone moping around here. Everybody's moving forward, trying to get ready for Monday night."  

Jacobs was out of action in the loss to Baltimore, as an injury late in the week forced him to be sidelined for the showdown. Having missed the loss, his eagerness to return has increased. 

The defensive back has practiced fully each of the last two days. He explained his injury Friday, stating that he landed wrong during practice. 

Prior to the loss to Baltimore, Detroit was viewed among the league's best defenses. Monday offers an opportunity for the unit to return to that level of production.

"It's not even badly. We just want to prove everybody wrong," Jacobs said. "Everybody's saying we're frauds. We just want to keep moving forward step by step. We're not really trying to prove anybody wrong, we're in our own boat. Just trying to keep going."