A lot can change in a day.
Texans safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was believed to have suffered a torn ACL during Thursday’s training camp practice, but according to ESPN, that is not the case.
After further testing, Gardner-Johnson’s injury “isn’t as serious as it could have been,” as his ACL is intact.
Perhaps the most shocking part of ESPN’s report is that “it’s not out of the question that he could be back as soon as the regular-season opener vs. the Rams.”
The news comes as a relief to the Texans, as the team seemingly expected much worse.
Gardner-Johnson was injured making a tackle on wide receiver John Metchie III — he pounded the ground in frustration and couldn’t put any weight on his leg after the injury.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans’ mind certainly thought of the worst-case scenario in the moment, as he called the scene “heartbreaking” and said it was “tough to watch,” according to KPRC2.
With the new assumption that Gardner-Johnson will be healthy in the near future, Houston can exhale.
The 27-year-old is coming off a solid season for the Eagles in which he started 16 games in the regular season and all four postseason games en route to winning Super Bowl 2025 over the Chiefs.
Gardner-Johnson signed with Philadelphia ahead of last season on a three-year, $27 million contract coming off an injury-riddled season with the Lions.
The safety found his way to the Texans via trade when they acquired him and a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Eagles in March for guard Kenyon Green and a 2025 fifth-rounder.
Gardner-Johnson joins a Houston team that’s coming off back-to-back 10-7 seasons led by Ryans and young quarterback CJ Stroud.
The Texans were bounced in the divisional round in both seasons, and they now hope Gardner-Johnson can be a defensive piece that could get them over the hump in the playoffs.
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