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Come Fan with UsMonday, June 22, 2026

Calvin Johnson is active for Lions, fantasy owners on Sunday

The Lions won’t have to worry on Sunday about not having their star receiver on the field against the Bengals. We break down the fantasy implications.

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is listed as active for the team's matchup against the Bengals on Sunday.

Johnson is now two weeks removed from a knee injury which sidelined him in Week 5 and limited him to mostly second-half snaps a week ago against the Browns. Though Johnson returned to practice this week at a limited capacity, it was the first time he practiced all three days since September. That is a trend he has been known to buck even when he is healthy, and that he was able to take the field all three days bodes well for his playing capacity.

Fantasy Spin: As long as Johnson is expected play, and not at a limited basis, he is always worth a start. His ceiling for production is simply too high to be benched, and the Lions will need all hands on deck if they want to move the ball with consistency against a sturdy Bengals defense.

Johnson will likely be matched up with cornerback Leon Hall, who, when healthy, is one of the better cover corners in the league. However, Hall is recovering from a recent hamstring injury and could be in for a long day if he is not at full capacity against one of the league's most talented players. Start Johnson with confidence.

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