C.J. Gardner-Johnson Reportedly Could Return for Texans in Week 1 amid Knee Injury

Houston Texans safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was carted off the field with a knee injury during Thursday's training camp practice, may be able to return in time for the team's regular season opener on Sept. 7 at the Los Angeles Rams.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news on Friday.

Multiple reports stated that Gardner-Johnson tore his ACL, but thankfully, Schefter and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network stated that was not the case.

Remarkably, Gardner-Johnson could now be good to go in less than a month.

Gardner-Johnson, 27, has played six NFL seasons for the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. He won the Super Bowl with the Eagles last year, amassing a team-high six interceptions, 12 pass breakups and 59 tackles (35 solo).

Gardner-Johnson signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Eagles before the 2024 season, per Over the Cap, but Philadelphia traded him to the Texans last March for offensive guard Kenyon Green. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio told reporters it was a salary cap-related move.

On paper, adding Gardner-Johnson to a secondary that already includes cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (2024 first-team All-Pro) and safety Jalen Pitre looks like a huge win for the Texans, especially in an AFC loaded with star quarterbacks.

Houston is clearly hoping to contend for a Super Bowl, especially after making the Divisional round each of the past two years. Bringing in Gardner-Johnson helps matters.

Obviously, Thursday was a scary day given that it appeared Gardner-Johnson could be done for the season. However, that isn't the case, and now it's a matter of whether he'll be ready for a huge opener against the defending NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams.