The Philadelphia Eagles-Washington Commanders tilt on Sunday featured arguments, penalties, and even an ejection. It also had C.J. Gardner-Johnson flipping off Commanders fans.
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The incident occurred in the third quarter after officials ejected Gardner-Johnson. He headed toward the locker room with an escort as he worked on undoing his shoulder pads. Right before entering the tunnel, he raised both arms in the air and flipped off the fans.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson as he walks off the field after receiving his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, leading to his ejection. pic.twitter.com/1HfLQOpqZ9
— Chris Franklin (@cfranklinnews) December 22, 2024
Gardner-Johnson's exit from the lineup was the result of two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. He received the first during the first half of the Eagles-Commanders game. Wide receiver Dyami Brown knocked off Gardner-Johnson's helmet, but it was the Eagles' defender who received the penalty for how he responded.
Gardner-Johnson's second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was in the third quarter. Fox Sports did not have any footage of the second unsportsmanlike penalty, which led to the ejection. The broadcast booth indicated that the penalty was the result of comments made by the defensive back.
Gardner-Johnson made an impact before his ejection. He registered one tackle and pass defensed. He also intercepted a pass by Jayden Daniels late in the second quarter. This prevented the Commanders from scoring before halftime and building some momentum.
Gardner-Johnson was not the only Eagles player to leave Sunday's game. However, he was the only one to do so due to an ejection. Three other players left after sustaining injuries.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts was the first. He exited the game during the first quarter after scrambling for 13 yards and being tackled by Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner. He underwent evaluation for a concussion before the Eagles ruled him out. This put Kenny Pickett into the lineup as the starter for the rest of the game.
Running back Will Shipley also left the game due to a concussion. He remained out of the lineup for the rest of the game. Pass rusher Josh Sweat left the game due to an ankle injury, but he ultimately returned in a limited capacity during the fourth quarter.
