Houston Texans Safety Feared to Have Torn Achilles After Training Camp Incident
Houston Texans safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s first season with his new team could be over before it even began. The veteran defensive back was carted off the field during a training camp practice on Thursday, August 7, 2025, after suffering what is feared to be a torn Achilles tendon. Gardner-Johnson went down while in coverage during a joint practice, and was visibly in pain, unable to put any weight on his right leg. The team has since sent him for an MRI to confirm the diagnosis, but the early reports are grim. The news has cast a pall over the Texans’ camp and represents a major blow to the team’s defensive plans for the 2025 NFL season.
A Major Blow to the Texans’ Secondary
The injury to Gardner-Johnson is a devastating setback for a Texans defense that had high expectations for the veteran. Houston acquired him in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to be a key starter alongside rookie safety Calen Bullock. The team was already without starting safety Jimmie Ward, who is on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list while recovering from a foot injury. Gardner-Johnson’s absence will force the Texans to re-evaluate their lineup and find a replacement for a player who recorded 59 tackles and tied his career-high with six interceptions in his last season with the Eagles. His versatility and playmaking ability were seen as a perfect fit for the Texans’ defense, and his potential long-term absence leaves a significant hole in the secondary.
Contract and Career Impact
Gardner-Johnson, who is in the first year of a three-year, $27 million contract, had an outstanding career before this recent injury. The former fourth-round pick from Florida has played for the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles, amassing 304 total tackles, 51 passes defended, and 18 interceptions over six NFL seasons. The contract he signed with the Texans this offseason included $10 million in guaranteed money. While he is under contract through 2026, his deal contains a potential out after the 2025 season. This latest injury, which follows a torn pectoral muscle that cost him a large part of the 2023 season, raises concerns about his future with the team and his long-term health. The Texans and their fans now anxiously await the official MRI results to determine the full extent of the damage.
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