C.J. Gardner-Johnson Returns to Practice

Gardner-Johnson will return in a limited capacity on Day 6 to training camp.

When C.J. Gardner-Johnson went down in the Lions' second training camp practice of the season, fans initially feared the worst. 

However, his MRI came back clean, and he will return to practice in a limited capacity Saturday. He had previously missed the team's last three practices. 

"Just to get back there and get into a flow with the rest of those DBs, get on the back end with communication," said coach Dan Campbell. "That's always going to be important, so it'll be good in any capacity to get him back out there." 

The veteran safety isn't expected to participate during team reps, but will participate in individual drills. 

The Lions will be without wide receiver Antoine Green Saturday. The rookie wide receiver was dealing with health issues related to the heat during Friday's practice. 

Campbell added that the rookie was the only player to experience issues with the heat. 

Spielman's influence

Campbell opened his press conference Saturday by praising the influence that Chris Spielman has on the organization. 

The current special assistant to team president Rod Wood and former Lions great has had a strong impact on Campbell's development as a coach. 

"He does a lot for us. He's a little bit unseen and not always heard on the outside, but I tell you what, he's an important confidant and I'm glad he's here. He's somebody who, he certainly keeps me straight and he tells me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear. I always appreciate that about him. I just wanted to get that off my chest," Campbell told reporters Saturday. 

Campbell and Spielman took their respective positions ahead of the 2021 season. 

"Nothing necessarily recently, I just got to thinking about him, and I'm like, I don't give him enough credit," the third-year coach said. "And, he needs that, he does. Not for him, because he's not looking for it. But, he just does." 

Notes

1.) Fans were lined up quite early for their first opportunity to see the Lions at training camp. 

2.) Those in attendance during Campbell's media session included the NFL Network's Charles Davis, Peter King of NBC Sports and former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett.