WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. – Texans veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson hurt his right leg Thursday morning, and it appears to be a serious injury as he was carted off the field.
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.
Gardner-Johnson will undergo a magnetic resonance imaging exam. He is currently inside with team medical personnel.
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.
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 on six targets.
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 hurt.
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.