Houston Texans safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson sustained a right leg injury in practice on Thursday and was carted off the field.
NFL.com and ESPN.com later reported that Gardner-Johnson did not tear his anterior cruciate ligament, but additional testing was planned.
Gardner-Johnson was unable to put weight on the leg before departing the field, Houston television station KRPC2 reported.
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.
“It’s heartbreaking when you see a guy go down on the field like that and doesn’t get up quickly,” 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, 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.
–Field Level Media
