By ESPN | Created at 2024-12-29 18:36:27 | Updated at 2025-01-01 17:20:04
2 days ago
Tim McManus, ESPN Staff WriterDec 29, 2024, 01:25 PM ET
- Tim McManus covers the Philadelphia Eagles for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2016 after covering the Eagles for Philadelphia Magazine's Birds 24/7, a site he helped create, since 2010. You can follow him on Twitter @Tim_McManus.
PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson quickly made amends.
A week after getting ejected for multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a loss to the Washington Commanders, Johnson made an instant impact against the Dallas Cowboys, taking an interception 69 yards for a touchdown on the Cowboys' opening possession of Week 17.
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024Gardner-Johnson jumped a Cooper Rush pass intended for receiver Brandin Cooks, secured the pick and then raced down the right sideline for the score to put Philadelphia up 7-0. It was also Philadelphia's first defensive touchdown of the season.
Gardner-Johnson was flagged twice last week for taunting, leading to his ejection in the second half. His absence was felt, as Jayden Daniels and the Commanders got hot and upended the Eagles, 36-33, handing Philadelphia its first loss in 11 games.
With Eagles QB Jalen Hurts sidelined with a concussion, it was Gardner-Johnson breaking down the team pregame before heading into the locker room for the final time. He went on to make one of his biggest contributions of the season on the field.
