Coach Dan Campbell announced that C.J. Gardner-Johnson has received the green light from the medical staff, and the Detroit Lions defense may see an increase in talent in the final weeks of the regular season. Gardner-Johnson could begin his evaluation clock to return from injured reserve as early as next week.

One of the Lions’ top free agents this offseason, Gardner-Johnson immediately made an impact in the secondary with his leadership and skill from the first play he made in Allen Park.

Regretfully, Gardner-Johnson tore his pectoral muscle in Week 2, necessitating surgery and putting him on injured reserve. Gardner-Johnson was initially expected to miss the entire season, and even Campbell expressed throughout the season how unlikely it seemed that he would play again.

Gardner-Johnson went to work, assiduously recovering to rejoin the Lions, despite the bleak prognosis. He provided video updates on his development and frequently made suggestions on social media that he might make a big comeback this season.

Early in December, Campbell started to warm to the possibility that Gardner-Johnson might truly make a comeback, but he was still taking a cautious approach to the circumstances.

He’s really stepped it up, according to Campbell. And he has—and continues to have—rapid healing. The main question that will arise is: Is his body prepared for that? Is it stable and strong enough for him to do it without getting hurt again? He’s taken off, as far as I can tell, but we’ll see. If there is a chance, it would most likely be in late December or early January on the same timeline.

Gardner-Johnson is still moving forward, despite the potential timeline that has been established. He recently announced on social media that he had received the all-clear from his doctor and was prepared to return, possibly even sooner.