Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson medically cleared to return from potential season-ending injury: 'Mutant genes'

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The Detroit Lions are getting one of their key secondary pieces back after safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was medically cleared to join his teammates. 

Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters Gardner-Johnson’s 21-day window to return could start as soon as next week. 

Gardner-Johnson has been sidelined since Week 2 with a torn pectoral muscle he suffered in an overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He was promptly placed on injured reserve with the expectation he could miss the rest of the season. 

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C.J. Gardner-Johnson of the Detroit Lions poses for a photo prior to a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium Sept. 7, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

However, Gardner-Johnson has been hinting at a return, posting to social media Wednesday with a clip from "The Simpsons" in which a doctor uses defibrillation paddles and says, "Clear!"

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"He's one of the X-Men. He's got these mutant genes because he has healed extremely quickly, and he's gotten his strength back," Campbell said, via ESPN. "It is secure. So, yeah, he's going to be ready to go here pretty soon."

After losing two of their last three games, the Lions can use help on defense. They’ve given up 25 or more points in five straight games, the longest active streak in the NFL. 

Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sept. 7, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Gardner-Johnson played