ExtremeRavens Posted October 7 Posted October 7 The Ravens’ depleted and struggling secondary is getting what it hopes will be some help. Veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is signing with Baltimore’s practice squad, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Baltimore Sun on Tuesday. The move comes two days after the Ravens were blown out by the Houston Texans, 44-10, at home with a pair of rookies, first-round pick Malaki Starks and undrafted free agent Reuben Lowery III, starting at safety after two-time Pro Bowler Kyle Hamilton was inactive because of a groin injury. Gardner-Johnson, 27, was released last month after three games with the Texans. His addition provides plenty of experience to a defense that was down five starters because of injury last week, but his career has also been marked by controversy. The Ravens will be his fourth team in three years. A 2019 fourth-round draft pick by the Saints, Gardner-Johnson spent his first three seasons in New Orleans before being traded to the Eagles. In 2022, his six interceptions tied for the most in the NFL, and he helped Philadelphia reach the Super Bowl. After he spent 2023 with the Detroit Lions, he returned to the Eagles in 2024, tallied six interceptions and this time won a championship, helping them to a 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. The next day, though, Gardner-Johnson posted an Instagram story aimed at Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his relationship with Taylor Swift. Then, at the Eagles’ Super Bowl parade, he wore a sweatshirt with a derogatory message aimed at Swift’s fans. The following month, Philadelphia traded Gardner-Johnson to Houston in a salary dump for offensive lineman Kenyon Green and a 2026 fifth-round pick swap, though the safety believed it was for a different reason. “Scared of a competitor,” Gardner-Johnson said on “The Pivot” podcast in July when asked why he believed he was dealt. “Simple as that. … You can’t program a dog.” His stint in Houston was even shorter. Gardner-Johnson racked up 15 tackles in three games, but had zero pass breakups and no interceptions while allowing six catches on eight targets, according to Pro Football Focus. “It was my decision to move on,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters at the time. “I know what’s best for my team. … Coming from me, the head coach, it was the best for our team. That’s why I made the decision.” Ryans also cited communication issues among the secondary after an 0-3 start. Now, the Ravens, who have lost four of five games this season and three in a row, hope the 5-foot-11, 208-pound hard-hitting defensive back can help turn their struggling defense around. Baltimore ranks last in points allowed per game (35.4) and second-to-last in yards allowed per game (408.8). It also ranks 31st in passing yards allowed per game (262.4), 24th in completion percentage (69) and has forced just two turnovers. For his career, Garnder-Johnson has appeared in 77 games (64 starts), has 319 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 18 interceptions, 51 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
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