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DeMeco Ryans Drops Critical Injury Update on Major Texans Trade Acquisition

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dan Fappiano | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 4:09 PM ET

Coming off of back-to-back playoff appearances, head coach DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans are looking to stake their claim as one of the NFL's elites. They even made a shrewd trade acquisition to help their defense take another step forward.

The Texans acquired safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and a sixth-round pick from the Philadelphia Eagles for guard Kenyon Green and a fifth-round pick. However, in early August, Gardner-Johnson suffered a knee injury that looked like it could've kept him out the whole season.

But the safety refused to go down quietly. After Gardner-Johnson rehabbed his knee injury all offseason, Ryans is now confident he'll suit up in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, via Jonathan M Alexander of the Houston Chronicle.

#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said he expects S C.J. Gardner-Johnson to be ready for Week 1.
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) September 1, 2025

C.J. Gardner-Johnson Gives Texans Extra Boost

The Texans finished their 2024 campaign ranked fifth in total defense, allowing 315 yards per game. While they were in the top half of the league in both categories, Houston faltered slightly against the run, ranking 11th by allowing 114 YPG.

As a safety, Gardner-Johnson won't be operating at the line of scrimmage often. However, the Texans will certainly take what he brings to the table. During the 2024 campaign, Gardner-Johnson ranked 22/171 safeties with a 75.1 grade from Pro Football Focus.

Starting 16 games for the Eagles, the safety put up 59 tackles, 12 passes defended and six interceptions. Furthermore, Gardner-Johnson's 81.3 coverage grade ranked 10th/171 safeties. He will be a crucial piece of Houston's defense when healthy and tasked with being the team's last line of defense.

Alongside everything he brings to the game stat wise, Gardner-Johnson hasn't be afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. If things get chippy, he won't back down. While the Texans don't want unnecessary flags, they'll take that fire as they look to prove themselves. His added level of confidence gives Houston some extra fire heading into quarterback C.J. Stroud's third season.

Gardner-Johnson still has a few hurdles to leap before officially making his Texans debut. However, Ryans expects to see him on the field against the Rams.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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