To further complicate matters, the Baltimore Ravens have now cut safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson just a week after signing him to their practice squad. Safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, 27, was originally supposed to sign with the Ravens on October 7 after being released by the Texans late last month. His time with the Texans was cut short after he appeared in only three games.
The Ravens surprised a lot of people when they released Gardner-Johnson, a fifth-round steal. This decision happened just hours after they signed safety Alohi Gilman. Gilman quickly proved his worth during the Ravens’ recent loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He finished with a monster stat line and was credited with seven tackles in the game. Gardner-Johnson didn’t play a single uniformed game during his brief time with the squad. He wouldn’t have been able to be elevated from the practice squad for this Sunday’s game.
In his seven NFL seasons, Gardner-Johnson has transformed into a playmaking defensive presence. He’s intercepted 18 passes and defended 51 in just 85 games played with the bum shoulder. Last season, he made his mark on the Eagles defense with a league-leading six interceptions. His remarkable on-field performance helped lead the team to a Super Bowl appearance.
As much as Gardner-Johnson has proven himself, this season has been a struggle. The Ravens were off to a rocky start with a 1-5 record. This release is the second time this year he’s been released.
Kevin Conner, a member of the Ravens’ front office, stated, “After the Ravens traded for a safety, we were looking for a clearer path to play.” That still suggests a team considering a roster reboot due to some recent acquisitions and performance analysis.
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