The last time C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Deebo Samuel crossed paths on the gridiron was last season's NFC Championship game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field Stadium.

The long-awaited match-up between the #1 defense and the #2 defense in the NFL was somewhat tainted in the first quarter when Haason Reddick of the Eagles knocked the 49ers' undefeated rookie quarterback Brock Purdy out of the game with an elbow injury. What happened next was unprecedented, as Brock Purdy's backup quarterback, Josh Johnson, was also knocked out of the game with a concussion in the third quarter.

Ultimately, the 49ers finished the game with their star running back, Christian McCaffrey, behind center as their emergency quarterback. Thus, the Eagles secured a 31-7 blowout win along with bragging rights. C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the team's starting strong safety, recorded five tackles. Meanwhile, Deebo Samuel, his rival on the opposing sidelines, ended the game with three receptions for 33 yards and one lost fumble. After the game, the 49ers star wide receiver famously said the following during an interview with Complex Sports.

"We lost because we played with ten people," Samuel said. "I ain't going to keep going on about what could've happened and what would've happened, but yeah, it would've definitely been a different outcome (if healthy)."

Samuel and Johnson have been going at it via social media ever since. C.J. Gardner-Johnson is no longer a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. He joined the Detroit Lions during the off-season, and he is currently ranked as a top-10 safety in the league, according to a poll of NFL coaches, executives, and scouts.

As of now, the 49ers and Lions both sit atop the NFC West and NFC North at 5-1, making it likely that C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Deebo Samuel will once again oppose one another in a highly consequential matchup in the regular season or playoffs.

On Tuesday, Gardner-Johnson took some verbal shots at Samuel, insisting that he could guard him while also indicating that Samuel is not a true wide receiver. He also shared his thoughts on a potential collision course between the 49ers and the Lions. 

Scroll up and press play to hear what he had to say.

Source: CBS