DJ Bien-Aime
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — On the final day of observe for the Houston Texans in West Virginia, the damage bug struck.
Throughout a scrimmage on the Greenbrier Resort, security C.J. Gardner-Johnson went to deal with wideout John Metchie III. After making contact, Gardner-Johnson fell to the bottom; he was unable transfer his decrease proper leg and writhed in ache as your complete observe fell silent. Gamers and coaches finally surrounded Gardner-Johnson, and the medical workers helped him get on the cart. Gardner-Johnson was unable to place any stress on his proper leg.
The Texans traded their 2022 first-rounder, left guard Kenyon Inexperienced, to the Philadelphia Eagles for Gardner-Johnson in March. The deal included a choose swap, with the Eagles getting a 2026 fifth-round choose and the Texans getting a 2026 sixth-rounder. Gardner-Johnson was supposed to exchange their 2024 beginning security Eric Murray, who joined the Jacksonville Jaguars on a three-year, $22.5 million deal in free company.
This might probably be a devastating blow to a secondary stuffed with ball hawks that had All-Professional cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., cornerback Kamari Lassiter, security Calen Bullock and nickel Jalen Pitre, who led the Texans to the second-most interceptions final season (19). Gardner-Johnson's 18 profession interception was supposed to suit seamlessly.
Additionally including Gardner-Johnson, who had six interceptions in 2024 (tied for third most), was imagined to elevate a protection that ranked sixth in passing yards allowed (201 yards per recreation) and thirteenth in scoring protection (21.9) final season even greater.
With Gardner-Johnson probably out for some time, the Texans will lean on security M.J. Stewart or security Russ Yeast to exchange him. Additionally, Pitre has expertise at security, as he performed it from 2022 to '23. The wild card is Jimmie Ward, who's presently on the bodily unable to carry out checklist and had authorized points in June.
Ward was arrested in Montgomery County, Texas, allegedly for household violence following an incident in Magnolia. The NFL goes by means of its authorized course of to find out whether or not there shall be a disciplinary motion taken towards Ward.
