Texans Lose Star Defender C.J. Gardner-Johnson for 2025 Season

In a devastating blow to the Houston Texans, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson will miss the entire 2025 NFL season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during a practice session on Thursday. The seven-year veteran was acquired by the Texans in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles back in March, and was expected to play a crucial role in their secondary.

The injury occurred as Gardner-Johnson was defending wide receiver John Metchie III during a scrimmage in West Virginia. As he went to make a tackle, the 27-year-old went down and immediately clutched his leg in pain. Texans players gathered around Gardner-Johnson in silence as he was unable to put any weight on his leg and had to be helped onto a cart for further evaluation.

After undergoing further tests, it was confirmed that Gardner-Johnson had suffered a torn ACL, which will require surgery to repair. This means the NFL's interceptions leader in 2022 will be sidelined for the entire 2025 season, dealing a major blow to the Texans' defensive plans. Gardner-Johnson had recorded 59 tackles and six interceptions last year with the Eagles, and has picked off 13 passes over the past three seasons.