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Texans S C.J. Gardner-Johnson carted off with leg injury


Houston Texans safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered a right leg injury in practice on Thursday and was carted off the field.

Houston television station KRPC2 reported the injury appeared to be to his right knee and an MRI will be done to determine the full extent. He was unable to put weight on the leg before departing, according to the report.

The injury occurred as Gardner-Johnson attempted to tackle wide receiver John Metchie III.

Players gathered around the safety and took a knee as medical personnel helped him on the field at the training camp site in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.

Gardner-Johnson, 27, is in his first season with Texans, traded by the Philadelphia Eagles after winning Super Bowl LIX last season.

He was listed on the depth chart the Texans released earlier this week as a starter at safety.

A 2019 fourth-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints, he joined the Eagles in 2022, played for the Detroit Lions in 2023 and rejoined Philadelphia last season.

In 16 games (all starts) with Philadelphia last season, Gardner-Johnson made six interceptions, returning one 69 yards for a touchdown, and defended 12 passes. He added a forced fumble and 59 tackles.

In 74 career games (61 starts), he has 18 interceptions, 304 tackles, four sacks and 51 passes defensed.

The Texans open the regular season on Sept. 7 against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, Calif.