Eagles Safety Leaves With Hand Injury

The Philadelphia Eagles jumped out to a dream start against the Dallas Cowboys, dominating on both sides of the ball on their way to a 20-3 first-half lead. Things got a little tense in the third quarter, and it all began with a key injury on defense. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson exited on the opening drive of the second half with a hand injury and was declared questionable to return.

Injury Update: S C. J. Gardner-Johnson (hand) is questionable to return.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 17, 2022

Gardner-Johnson appeared to jam his hand on a tackle near the line of scrimmage. The Cowboys finished off the drive with their first touchdown of the game to make the game 20-10.

Gardner-Johnson has been a key contributor for the Eagles through five weeks, playing 99% of the team's defensive snaps and tallying 27 total tackles. However, his actual effectiveness has been a little spotty: he has allowed a 103.0 passer rating on throws in his direction this season and has earned a 49.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson is coming back in.
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) October 17, 2022

Gardner-Johnson joined the Eagles via trade with the New Orleans Saints during the 2022 offseason. Initially the 105th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, he started 31 games in three seasons with the Saints, nabbing five interceptions and breaking up 28 passes.

UPDATE: Gardner-Johnson returned late in the game. He all but sealed the win with a crucial fourth-quarter interception.