Lions activate McNeill, Gardner-Johnson off IR, elevate 2 more veterans off practice squad

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions formally activated defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson and defensive tackle Alim McNeill off injured reserve on Saturday, putting both on track to play in Sunday's season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.

Gardner-Johnson has been out of action since tearing his pectoral muscle in the second game of the season. The NFL's interception leader a year ago while with the Philadelphia Eagles, Gardner-Johnson will be eased back into action, operating in a rotation with safeties Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu.

McNeill, meanwhile, has missed just four games after suffering a sprained MCL in the team's December matchup with the New Orleans Saints. Prior to that injury, he was playing close to 70% of the team's defensive snaps. He still remains second on the team with a career-best 5.0 sacks.

In addition to the activations, the team is temporarily elevating defensive tackle Tyson Alualu and fullback Jason Cabinda off the practice squad.

Alualu, a former first-round pick and 14-year veteran, made his season debut with the Lions last week, starting and logging 34 snaps in the team's loss to Dallas. Cabinda, one of the team's top special teams contributors the past few years, will be appearing in his first game since suffering a knee injury in Week 3 against Atlanta.

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