C.J. Gardner-Johnson Suffers Leg Injury During Texans’ Final Practice

Gardner-Johnson, the Texans’ newly acquired safety, went down with what looked to be a serious leg injury during short-field scrimmage at the Greenbrier Resort. This injury puts an unfortunate damper on the team’s upcoming training camp in West Virginia. On the final day of practice, the event was still shocking players and coaches. Gardner-Johnson dropped to the turf after making a tackle on wide receiver John Metchie III.

According to eyewitness accounts, Gardner-Johnson was unable to feel or move his lower right leg immediately after the fall. This sudden turn of events dropped the whole practice field into a shocked silence. He writhed in pain as medical personnel attended to him, and video footage later surfaced showing him being carted off the field, highlighting the severity of the situation.

In March, the Texans signed Gardner-Johnson, who previously played for the Philadelphia Eagles. The condition of the deal covered Kenyon Green, the team’s starting left guard and their first-round draft pick from 2022. Everybody had been counting down the days to his unveiling. He was prepared to assume Eric Murray’s spot after Murray just signed a three-year, $22.5 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Gardner-Johnson arrives with 18 career INTs under his belt to an already talented Texans secondary. As perhaps the most important addition, he seeks to fortify the secondary with All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.

For the Texans — and for both teams as they look ahead to the 2024 season — the ramifications of Gardner-Johnson’s injury could be big. His ability to fill in all over the defensive front was considered a key part of their defensive line’s success. The Texans hoped to have one of the most talented secondaries in the league. Losing a player like Gardner-Johnson puts deeper questions into their future.

Information on Gardner-Johnson’s injury is beginning to come out. In the meantime, supporters and staff continue to hold out hope for a speedy recovery. The Texans will have to weigh their options now with this unforeseen crushing news.