Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner‑Johnson diagnosed with calf strain

Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner‑Johnson suffered a non‑contact lower‑right calf injury during the team’s training‑camp practice on August 1, 2026. He was carted off the field and initially raised concerns of a possible Achilles rupture, with a sports doctor on social media noting “he couldn’t do a heel raise” and “grabbed his Achilles.” Subsequent evaluation by Bills trainers and doctors determined the injury to be a calf strain. Teammate left tackle Dion Dawkins said, “He can walk… he’s alright,” and the team indicated they will follow protocol and consider an MRI. Gardner‑Johnson, a former Super Bowl winner who signed a one‑year deal with Buffalo, is expected to compete for a starting safety role under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Calf strains typically require a few weeks to a month to heal, leaving him with roughly six weeks before the regular season starts.