The Buffalo Bills avoided yet another major injury ahead of the 2026 season. On Saturday, August 1, Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered an injury during the training session. The team later breathed a sigh of relief when the reports revealed a non-contact lower-leg injury.
The safety went down during the 11-on-11 team drills and remained on his knees in the field. He left the field with the help of the staff and was sent to the locker room with a towel draped over his head. The team initially feared Gardner-Johnson had torn his right Achilles tendon. Later, ESPN reported that Gardner-Johnson suffered a lower calf strain.
On Monday, August 3, Bills head coach Joe Brady was happy to report that C.J. Gardner-Johnson had no major injury ahead of this season. Brady addressed the reporters and said (Source: Instagram):
"We're fortunate, you know. I think anytime you see a lower body extremity injury, and in the manner in which some of those happen, you know, there's always a bad possibility with it, right?"
"So, but you know, we got good news, and you know we'll see how his body recovers, and you know, but as you guys know, with his personality, and you know, he's in a good place, and so excited for him to when he's ready to practice, he'll be he'll be back out here, and we'll be good to go," he added.
Kincaid also gives Bills a scare
The 28-year-old was not the only one to give the team and fans a scare. Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid also left the field after a slight injury during the 11-on-11 practice. The third-year tight end has suffered similar injuries over the past two years and missed multiple games.
Gardner-Johnson recorded 66 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, and four passes defended across the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears in 2025. Meanwhile, Dalton Kincaid recorded 73 receptions for 673 yards in 2023. The following year, Kincaid recorded 44 receptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns. Finally, in 2025, the Bills tight end had 39 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns.
The positive diagnosis of both players is crucial for the team this season under Jim Leonhard's new defensive scheme. The Bills have transitioned from a 4-2-5 formation to a 3-4 defense this upcoming season. However, the Bills head coach still hasn't provided a timeline for the safety's return to the field yet. But Brady did mention Gardner-Johnson has been doing well in recovery and will rejoin the team when he's ready.
