The Houston Texans' defense took a hit on Thursday morning when veteran cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson was carted off the field after suffering what appears to be a significant leg injury.
It is still far too early to speculate about the severity of the offseason acquisition's injury. However, judging from the tone taken by Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, it seems safe to say that the coaching staff is concerned about just how serious a blow this could be to not only Gardner-Johnson but Houston's team as a whole.
Following the Texans' practice session, Ryans met with the media and shared just how heartbreaking it was for him and his players to see Gardner-Johnson go down like he did.
DeMeco Ryans on CJGJ injury:
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) August 7, 2025
“It’s heartbreaking when you see a guy go down on the field like that.. we’ll see where he is but no update at this time.”
Emphasizes importance to “take the time there, take a knee.. pray for him, just make sure they send their teammate off well.” pic.twitter.com/Lsucw7vMJZ
DeMeco Ryans Clearly Gutted Over Gardner-Johnson's Injury Concern
Beyond the loss of Gardner-Johnson as a key piece of Houston's secondary, Ryans knows the impact an injury like this can have on a player from his own time in the league as a linebacker. That is part of the reason why Thursday's injury was so heartbreaking for him to witness.
“It’s heartbreaking when you see a guy go down on the field like that and doesn’t get up quickly,” Ryans said, via Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle. “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.”
Ryans wanted to make sure he and the rest of the Texans roster took a moment to collect themselves and offer support to Gardner-Johnson. This is why practice was stopped so that the defender's teammates could process the injury and offer Gardner-Johnson well wishes in whatever manner they chose.
“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.”
With Gardner-Johnson, likely, out of the lineup for the foreseeable future, Ryans and the coaching staff will have to decide where they turn from here at the free safety position. They do have a few options in-house already, though.
Veteran M.J. Stewart replaced Gardner-Johnson with the first-team defense after the veteran was carted off the field. Rookie Jaylen Reed could be an option as well once he returns from a leg injury that he suffered during practice last week. Jimmie Ward could also fill this role for Houston once healthy, but he remains on the PUP list while he continues his rehab following foot surgery.