Lions Still Mulling Decision on C.J. Gardner-Johnson

Gardner-Johnson's status for Saturday uncertain.

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that the team has not yet made a decision on the status for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in Saturday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. 

Gardner-Johnson is in his second week of practice since returning from a torn pec injury suffered in Week 2. In order to activate him, the Lions will have to part ways with a player currently on the active roster. 

"No, look, he's even better than last week," Campbell said. "He's looking pretty good and it's just another chance to get him going. Brad and I will talk about after we get done today. He'll be out there practicing (Thursday)." 

Ifeatu Melifonwu is playing at a high level currently at the safety position, adding a layer of difficulty to determining roles in the secondary when Gardner-Johnson re-enters the fold. 

In the eyes of Campbell, these decisions are good problems to have. With Kerby Joseph also contributing at safety, the Lions have a plethora of options once Gardner-Johnson returns to action.

"Well, yeah. And look, it's, Iffy's playing really good football and look, Kerby's doing a good job," Campbell explained. "But everybody just assumes, is it Iffy or C.J.? But why? Why would you assume that? So when he comes back, we've got options.  We've got really good options. We've got football players, playmakers, and so it's a great problem to have." 

Campbell added that offensive tackle Taylor Decker will be good to go Saturday. The offensive tackle was a non-participant in Wednesday's practice and was listed on the injury report with a groin injury. 

The third-year coach explained that the decision to hold him out Wednesday was a precautionary one.