Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson carted off calf strain

Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is recovering from a lower right leg injury after being carted off the practice field on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The incident occurred during an 11-on-11 team drill at the team's training camp at St. John Fisher University.

The veteran defensive back went down in a non-contact situation while defending a run play. Athletic trainers attended to him on the field, where he tested the weight he could place on his right leg before being assisted off. After spending approximately 10 minutes in a medical tent, where he was visited by general manager Brandon Beane, Gardner-Johnson limped to a cart and was driven to the locker room.

While the team has not provided an official diagnosis, initial reports from the scene described the injury as concerning for his lower right leg or foot, with some speculation about a possible Achilles tear. However, a subsequent report on Sunday indicated the injury is to his lower right calf, and teammates expressed cautious optimism based on his immediate response.

Left tackle Dion Dawkins said he approached Gardner-Johnson after the fall and that the safety was able to stand and walk. Dawkins added that he...