Eagles’ CJ Gardner-Johnson scores six off Cooper Rush

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  • Tim McManus, ESPN staff writer29 December 2024 at 1:25 PM ET

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      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 website he co-founded since 2010. You can follow him on Twitter @Tim_McManus.

PHILADELPHIA — Eagles safety CJ Gardner-Johnson made amends quickly.

A week after being ejected for several unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a loss to the Washington Commanders, Johnson made an immediate impact against the Dallas Cowboys, taking an interception 69 yards for a touchdown on the Cowboys’ opening possession in Week 17.

Gardner-Johnson bounced a Cooper Rush pass intended for receiver Brandin Cooks, secured the pick and then raced down the right sideline to put Philadelphia up 7-0. It marked Philadelphia’s first defensive touchdown of the season.

Gardner-Johnson was flagged twice last week for taunting, which led to his sending off in the second half. His absence was felt as Jayden Daniels and the Commanders got hot and turned the Eagles 36-33, handing Philadelphia its first loss in 11 games.

With Eagles QB Jalen Hurts sidelined with a concussion, Gardner-Johnson was tasked with breaking down the team’s pregame. He went on to make one of his biggest contributions of the season.