C.J. Gardner-Johnson Reportedly Released by Texans, Started 3 Games After Eagles Trade

The Houston Texans have released safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson just three games into his tenure with the team, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Gardner-Johnson started the Texans' first three games, amassing 15 tackles (11 solo) and a quarterback hit. He arrived in town last March after the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles traded him to Houston for left guard Kenyon Green.

Gardner-Johnson, who is playing the second season of a three-year, $27 million contract, led the 2024 Eagles with six interceptions to go along with 12 pass breakups and 59 tackles.

This was a surprising move, to say the least, but Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reported more insight from behind the scenes:

The 27-year-old Gardner-Johnson has played seven NFL seasons for the New Orleans Saints, Eagles, Detroit Lions and Texans.

Now Gardner-Johnson will be looking for another team after his previous one made a quick reversal of direction on his status in just a few weeks. ESPN's Field Yates provided details.

Gardner-Johnson had also notably played 65 of his team's 70 snaps on Sunday in a 17-10 loss at the Jacksonville Jaguars, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Ultimately, bringing in Gardner-Johnson was a huge move for the back-to-back defending AFC South champions, per James Roy of The Bullpen.

Now he is gone, and the Texans' brutal regular season starts continues. The defense has largely been great, ranking fifth in fewest points allowed thus far. However, the offense is in complete shambles, ranking last in the NFL (12.7 PPG). Ultimately, Houston sits 0-3 in an AFC South that the Indianapolis Colts lead at 3-0 thus far.

The release of Gardner-Johnson should mean more playing time for M.J. Stewart, the next man up at safety on the Texans' depth chart. Stewart has played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and Texans during his eight NFL seasons. He's in his fourth season in Houston.