The New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions are preparing for their Week 13 game, but neither team will be at full strength. The matchup will also see the absence of a highly anticipated reunion between Michael Thomas and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. The pair were involved in a fight at practice back in 2020 that led to Thomas being heavily fined by the team and benched for a game.
Back in May, during an appearance on the Up & Adams show with NFL analyst Kay Adams, the former Saints defensive back had this to say (with a laugh) about the then-looming matchup:
“He knows what time it is and I’m not gonna say nothing about that,” Gardner-Johnson grinned. “He knows what time it is. He better not come out with that crazy stuff, keep it on the field. Keep it at that.”
Unfortunately, since that interview, both players have landed on the injured reserve list and will miss Sunday’s game. Gardner-Johnson has not played since Week 2 and is currently on a one-year deal with the Lions. Thomas is out with a knee injury and could be in his last season with the Saints.
“He knows what time it is.”
— @CGJXXIII on going head-to-head against Michael Thomas
Week 13. Lions at Saints. pic.twitter.com/7NcyxZXdZJ
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) May 12, 2023