Texans' C.J. Gardner-Johnson injures leg; ACL intact, sources say - ESPN

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — The injury bug struck on the last day of practice for the Houston Texans in West Virginia, with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffering a right leg injury.

Tests revealed Thursday night that Gardner-Johnson's ACL is intact, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter, but the Texans are still conducting more testing to determine the extent of the injury.

During a scrimmage at the Greenbrier Resort, Gardner-Johnson tackled wideout John Metchie III. After making contact, Gardner-Johnson fell to the ground, couldn't move his lower right leg and writhed in pain as the practice fell silent.

Players and coaches surrounded Gardner-Johnson, and the medical staff helped him onto the cart. Gardner-Johnson couldn't put pressure on his right leg.

The Texans traded left guard Kenyon Green to the Philadelphia Eagles in March for Gardner-Johnson, who was supposed to replace 2024 starting safety Eric Murray after he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency on a three-year, $22.5 million deal.

Gardner-Johnson's injury could be a devastating blow to a secondary that features All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., cornerback Kamari Lassiter, safety Calen Bullock and nickel Jalen Pitre, who led the Texans to the second-most interceptions last season (19).

Adding Gardner-Johnson, who had six interceptions in 2024 (tied for third most) and has 18 in his career, was supposed to elevate a defense that ranked sixth in passing yards allowed (201 yards per game) and 13th in scoring defense (21.9) last season.

If Gardner-Johnson misses time, the Texans would lean on safety M.J. Stewart or safety Russ Yeast to replace him. Also, Pitre has experience at safety, a position he played from 2022 to 2023. Jimmie Ward is on the