HOUSTON – Standing in front of his stall inside the Texans’ locker room, Texans veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson smiled and rubbed his hands together.
Oh, yes, he’s ready for the Texans’ season-opener on the road against the Los Angeles Rams after missing time with a knee injury suffered during a practice session at The Greenbrier in West Virginia. Originally feared to be a serious injury, Gardner-Johnson has progressed to the point where he’s not even listed on the injury report and is full-go for the Rams game against quarterback Matthew Stafford and a dangerous receiving tandem of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
“I’m ready to go hunt,” said Gardner-Johnson, who helped the Philadelphia Eagles win a Super Bowl last season with his ball-hawking, instinctive presence with six interceptions. “New team. They haven’t seen me all preseason: What I’m gonna do? I feel good. Just blessed to be on the field with a group of guys that’s ready to play.”
One of the highest-energy and outspoken defensive backs in the NFL, Gardner-Johnson should provide a boost to an already loaded defense and secondary that includes Pro Bowl pass rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr., and second-year corner Kamari Lassiter and safety Calen Bullock. Between Bullock and Gardner-Johnson, they combined for 11 interceptions last season.
“The energy has been good,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “C.J. has been back for a few days now, so the energy has been good. It is just a matter of getting him back into football. Just doing the communication, being where we are supposed to be, making sure everybody is on the same page.
“It just takes time getting back to that. He has done a really good job of just fitting right back in and rolling with the communication. So, we are excited to have him back. C.J. is good to go. He’s done what we expect from him for where he could go.”
Gardner-Johnson is aiming for another Super Bowl ring with the Texans, who have never advanced past the AFC divisional round in six previous games. In the Super Bowl, he helped limit Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce to just four catches for 39 yards on six targets.
“I’m gonna come and ball like I’ve been doing,” Gardner-Johnson said. “Go check the Carfax. I’m gonna bring the same thing I brought from other teams here. I’m just gonna check in a different way.”
Last season, he recorded 59 tackles, 12 pass breakups and forced a fumble. Known for his trash talking to opponents, Gardner-Johnson has a bombastic alpha personality. He has the credibility factor down pat with 18 career interceptions, 304 tackles and 41 pass breakups.
He has outperformed several safeties drafted ahead of him, including first-round draft picks Darnell Savage and Johnathan Abram, second-round picks Marquise Blair, Nassir Adderley, Taylor Rapp and Juan Thornhill and third-round picks Will Harris and Mike Edwards. Gardner-Johnson was the ninth safety drafted in 2019 after excelling at the University of Florida.
“It’s dope,” Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “His presence is always felt. He’s also heard a lot. So, it’s good. We need that type of energy and he does a good job of bringing that juice and that energy and that swag to our defense and our team. So, I’m very happy that he’s alright and he’s back.”
When Gardner-Johnson got hurt, it was a somber moment. Teammates and coaches were extremely concerned as he was carted off the field and examined.
“I was good the whole time,” Gardner-Johnson said. “Once I got the news right after practice, I was good.”
What happened? Video showed Gardner-Johnson slide on the grass and then his cleats got stuck in the grass, putting his knee in a vulnerable position. Ultimately, he avoided the more serious variety of knee injuries and it got better with rest and rehab.
“Practicing hard at The Greenbrier, probably overstraining myself,” Gardner-Johnson said. injury. “Going hard, like usual. Then body gave out one day. That’s it.
“Originally when you get hurt, of course you go down in pain. But it’s like after that, whoever the doctor is, the trainers, they diagnose and they do their thing. I appreciate them, all those guys, they did a great job. Now, we’re rolling.”
Gardner-Johnson expects the Texans to be a Super Bowl squad. He has reiterated that goal multiple times, previously telling KPRC 2 “I got me a ring, I got me one. I got three more championships in me. I’m probably going to win the next three. I’m going to get me another Super Bowl this year, just watch.”
Before getting to that point, though, it starts with one game at a time starting against the Rams.
“To be honest, still have to learn,” Gardner-Johnson said. “Gotta understand that it’s still Week 1 and don’t get ahead of yourself. Just got to keep your mind focused and mentally prepare for what you’re gonna do. They got a veteran quarterback, veteran receiving corps.
“We got to go out there with our head on our shoulders ready to compete. That’s the greatest route runner of all time, if you ask me. I love Davante Adams’ game. I hope I get his jersey.”
Being back this soon is a best-case scenario for Gardner-Johnson, whose right knee was injured in practice while covering wide receiver John Metchie III and was carted off the field.
Gardner-Johnson, acquired in an offseason trade in exchange for former first-round guard Kenyon Green, was defending Metchie in a routine play in a scrimmage. Now, he’s back from the injury and has Metchie’s previous No. 8 jersey after switching from No. 23.
The Texans ranked sixth in passing defense and 13th in scoring defense last season and appear primed for major improvements this season on defense.
“He stepped back in,” Ryans said. “Since last week, he’s been out there. He stepped back in. He’s done a nice job of just working the communication, what we expect from him, right where he picked up.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.