3 days ago
Texans' C.J. Gardner-Johnson reportedly could be back for Week 1 following knee injury
On Thursday, the Houston Texans thought they might have lost star defensive back C.J. Garnder-Johnson for the season after he suffered a knee injury in the final day of practice at The Greenbrier.
Now, he's potentially in line to return to the lineup for Week 1's showdown at SoFi Stadium.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gardner-Johnson's ACL remains intact after being carted off during Thursday's practice. After further testing at The Greenbrier, it was revealed that the injury was not as severe as initially feared, but he's expected to miss several weeks.
Schefter believes that Gardner-Johnson could play Week 1 on the road against the Los Angeles Rams, but other reports indicate that the Texans won't rush back the defensive back, so a late-September addition could be more in line given the injury's severity.
Even if Gardner-Johnson is limited to begin the regular season, the news that it is not an ACL tear is good news Houston, which added the Pro Bowl safety as the missing link to form one of the league's top secondaries with All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., cornerback Kamari Lassiter and nickel defender Jalen Pitre.
Acquired in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and former first-round pick Kenyon Green, Gardner-Johnson was an anchor for the Eagles' secondary en route to a Super Bowl title last season. He totaled six interceptions and 12 pass breakups.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans seemed concerned about the severity of the injury, calling the moment 'heartbreaking' on the field.
"I'm always nervous as a head coach anytime I see anybody hit the ground, it's tough to watch," Ryans said. "So, we'll see, we'll evaluate C.J., see where he is."
Since the Texans don't have a set time for Gardner-Johnson's return, they could still look to free agency for further depth at safety for the remainder of the preseason. Safety Jimmie Ward, who remains out with a foot injury, is currently dealing with legal matters after his arrest in June and could be suspended several games by the league office.
For now, the Texans will turn to defensive backs Myles Bryant and M.J. Stewart in the meantime. They could also see if Jaylin Smith, the team's third-round pick out of USC, can fill in for reps during the preseason.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson now 'hopeful' to be ready for Week 1
