Detroit Lions' Alim McNeill, C.J. Gardner-Johnson set to return vs. Vikings: 'Vet is back'
C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Alim McNeill are back, just in time to knock the rust off before the playoffs.
The Detroit Lions officially activated Gardner-Johnson and McNeill from injured reserve Saturday, and both players are slated to play rotational roles in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.
Gardner-Johnson, who tore his pectoral muscle in Week 2, will work as part of a three-man rotation at safety with Ifeatu Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph, while McNeill could be back in the starting lineup at defensive tackle after a four-game absence due to a sprained MCL.
Gardner-Johnson acknowledged Friday he isn't happy to be playing as part of a rotation and hopes to win his starting job back in time for the playoffs.
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The Lions will host their first postseason game in 30 years next week at Ford Field, likely against the Los Angeles Rams or Green Bay Packers.
"The vet is back," Gardner-Johnson said. "I’m going to lead these guys to a championship if I can, and the ones that ain’t never been to one or been to the playoffs, get behind me and I can show you."
The Lions also elevated defensive tackle Tyson Alualu and fullback Jason Cabinda from the practice squad to the gameday roster, and re-signed tight end Anthony Firkser to practice squad.
Alualu, 36, played the most snaps of any defensive tackle in his Lions debut last week. He has one more practice squad elevation left for the playoffs. Cabinda can be elevated twice in the postseason before he needs to be placed on the 53-man roster.
"(Alualu) did a really good job for us (last week)," Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. "You’re talking about somebody that’s going to go in there and battle and fight, that’s who he is. That’s who he’s been. He’s been on a number of teams, so he’s able to impart his wisdom on some of the young guys that we have, so I’m glad that we have him. And I look forward to him continue to teach some of these guys. I mean, the thing is, I’m glad that Mac’s going to have a chance to play next to him and those guys go out there and battle. That’s what I’m looking forward to seeing."
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' Alim McNeill, C.J. Gardner-Johnson activated from IR
