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Texans S C.J. Gardner-Johnson Did Not Tear ACL

Originally posted on NFLTradeRumors.co | By Tony Camino | Last updated Aug 7, 2025 9:56 PM ET

Update:

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports initial tests have shown that Texans S C.J. Gardner-Johnson did not tear his ACL during Thursday’s practice.

Gardner-Johnson is expected to undergo further tests on his knee, but there appears to be optimism he’ll be able to return this year.

Texans S C.J. Gardner-Johnson tore his ACL and will be out for the 2025 season, according to Aaron Wilson.

Gardner-Johnson, 27, is a former fourth-round pick of the Saints from Florida back in 2019. He was entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract and was set to make a base salary of $2.54 million when the Saints traded him to the Eagles during the preseason.

Gardner-Johnson was testing the open market as an unrestricted free agent for the first time and signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Lions. He was placed on injured reserve after just two games with Detroit.

He returned to the Eagles on a three-year, $27 million deal last March but was traded to Houston for G Kenyon Green earlier this offseason.

In 2024, Gardner-Johnson appeared in 16 games for the Eagles and recorded 59 tackles, two tackles for loss, six interceptions, 12 pass defenses, one forced fumble, and one defensive touchdown.

This article first appeared on NFLTradeRumors.co and was syndicated with permission.

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