WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. – Texans veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered a knee injury and is undergoing more testing to determine the extent of the damage, per league sources.
Although it was feared that Gardner-Johnson tore his anterior cruciate ligament, it’s now expected that he will miss an undetermined amount of time and it’s unclear when he’ll be able to return.
Gardner-Johnson was carted off the field and later underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam and other tests on his knee.
It was a somber moment at The Greenbrier Sports Performance Center as teammates took a knee around Gardner-Johnson. The field went silent. Gardner-Johnson was unable to put weight on his leg. He was visibly upset, pounding the ground with his hand after he went down.
This represents a major blow to one of the most talented secondaries in the league. Gardner-Johnson had been slated for a major role opposite All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., cornerback Kamari Lassiter, safety Calen Bullock and nickel Jalen Pitre.
“It’s heartbreaking when you see a guy go down on the field like that,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I’m always nervous as a head coach when I see anyone hit the ground. It’s tough to watch. We’ll evaluate C.J., see where he is.”
Gardner-Johnson, acquired in an offseason trade from the Philadelphia Eagles, was defending wide receiver John Metchie III in a routine play in a scrimmage. Gardner-Johnson intercepted six passes for the Super Bowl champions last season and was slated for a major role in the Texans’ defense as a starter opposite Calen Bullock.
Practice was halted for several minute as teammates took a knee and prayers for Gardner-Johnson.
“It’s heartfelt because we’re a team, we’re all in this together,” Ryans said. “You see the emotion from our team. We care about each other. I’ve been on teams where coaches just move the ball up and you keep practicing. Well, I think that’s very insensitive so we’re going to take the time there for guys to take a knee and pray for him, just make sure they send their teammate off well.”
Gardner-Johnson left Philadelphia after helping shut down the Kansas City Chiefs’ vaunted offense headlined by quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Star tight end Travis Kelce was locked up, limited to four catches for 39 yards.
Gardner-Johnson had two stints with the Eagles in between playing for the Detroit Lions during a injury-shortened season.
In acquiring Gardner-Johnson, the Texans added an instinctive, ball-hawking safety. Now, he’s out of the equation at this time for a proud defense.
Gardner-Johnson had six interceptions last season for a championship team, one more than Bullock did as a rookie for the Texans. Gardner-Johnson provides a hard-hitting, instinctive presence. He has 18 career interceptions.
The Texans ranked sixth in passing defense and 13th in scoring defense last season and appeared primed for major improvements this season on defense.
The Texans have options at safety with Gardner-Johnson’s status up in the air.
Pitre has significant experience at safety in this defense. If he shifted to safety, Arthur Maulet or Myles Bryant could be the nickel.
The Texans can go with veteran M.J. Stewart or Russ Yeast, too.
Stewart filled in right away for Gardner-Johnson today.
Another option has uncertainty surrounding his status.
Veteran safety Jimmie Ward, a former team captain and starter, is on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing foot surgery this offseason.
He hasn’t been cleared to practice.
Ward, 34, is also facing an unresolved legal situation in Montgomery County. He’s due in court Aug. 13 after being arrested in June on a third-degree felony domestic violence case.
His lawyer, Steven Jackson, told KPRC 2 that he believes his client will be “vindicated” and asked the public to reserve judgment while the legal process unfolds.
The NFL is investigating the matter under its personal conduct policy. He could face a potential suspension, even if he isn’t convicted of a crime.
The injury affected the emotions of practice for sure.
“We care for each other,” Ryans said. “It’s not just some slogans that we throw up or we toss around. Like we truly care about each other, so that’s why you see if something like that happens in practice, we’re going to take our time to let everybody take their time. When we have to hit reset, it’s a tough message but we have to hit reset and then we have to get back going.”
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.