Battle Red Blog
The Houston Texans had a big scare when newly minted, Super Bowl safety CJ Gardner-Johnson suffered a knee injury leading up to the 1st pre-season game against the Minnesota Vikings. As often happens in Training Camp/Preseason, details were scarce and hard information harder to find than a current championship in Dallas.
Thankfully, Texans head coach Demeco Ryans let us know the injury won’t end the 2025 season for the fiery safety.
Demeco Ryans (via KPRC 2 Houston)
Thankfully, we’ll be seeing him back on the field this year.
In response to the short-term need for safety help, Texans general manager Nick Caserio brought in Jalen Mills to help out in the defensive backfield.
Mills brings veteran experience, having played nine seasons in the NFL after being a 2016 seventh-round pick for the Philadelphia Eagles. After four years in Philadelphia, he signed a four-year, $24 million contract with the New England Patriots in 2021. Mills spent last season with the New York Jets.
He has played in 115 career games (91 starts) and has 59 passes defended, 8 interceptions and 450 tackles.
NFL’s Adam Schefter had initially reported CJGJ was out with a season-ending ACL tear. In the not-so-distant past this was often a career-ending injury. Thankfully, sports medicine and physical therapy advancements bring players back faster than ever.
Justin David Kish
Despite the positive news, there is currently no timetable for a return to the field for the star defensive back. Houston is thin in the secondary with Gardner-Johnson’s injury, Jimmie Ward’s off-the-field issues, and Jaylen Reed recently getting injured on special teams play. Calen Bullock and M.J. Stewart sit as the top safeties on the Texans roster.
If Gardner-Johnson can’t play week one, Mills will likely see some snaps at safety along with fourth-year star Jalen Pitre.
The Texans’ defense expects to be one of he best in the NFL this season, featuring star rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, as well as a secondary that includes superstar cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and second-year stars Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock.
Hopefully CJGJ is back in action quickly, but not so quick he hasn’t fully healed. Expect more news on this in the hours leading up to this weekend’s bout with the visiting Carolina Panthers. The Texans home field opener starts at noon this Saturday.
