The Houston Texans were dealt a big blow at a recent practice.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson could be dealing with a significant injury.
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, the veteran safety tried to tackle wide receiver John Metchie III then fell to the ground and couldn’t put weight on his right leg.
#Texans safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson carted off, right leg injury. He got hurt tackling John Metchie III. In major pain evidently, and couldn’t put weight on it. He is inside with trainers. Next step: MRI. Practice has resumed @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 7, 2025
Teammates and trainers surrounded him and helped him get carted off the field.
This would be a huge blow to Houston’s secondary.
They still have All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., but Gardner-Johnson was going to provide some much-needed veteran leadership and experience.
He was tied for third in the NFL with six interceptions last season for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Texans traded left guard Kenyon Green to the Eagles to get Gardner-Johnson after Philadelphia won Super Bowl LIX.
The transaction also included a pick swap, with the Texans getting a sixth-round choice and the Eagles a fifth-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Gardner-Johnson was expected to fill the void left when Eric Murray signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars
Now, the Texans will most likely look to Russ Yeast and M.J. Stewart to replace him, with Jalen Pitre also potentially in the mix.
There’s also Jimmie Ward, but he’s on the PUP list and is likely to face an NFL suspension for issues off the field.
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