The injury bug has struck former Detroit Lions safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson once again -- and this time, it appears to be serious.
Gardner-Johnson, now with the Houston Texans, exited Thursday’s practice after suffering a leg injury during a team scrimmage.
The veteran defender was attempting to tackle wide receiver John Metchie III when he went down in visible pain, unable to move his right leg. He remained on the ground as teammates and coaches gathered around him. Medical staff eventually carted him off the field.
“It’s heartbreaking when you see a guy go down on the field like that and doesn’t get up quicker,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters after practice.
“I’m always nervous as a head coach anytime I see somebody hit the ground. It’s tough to watch. So we’ll see, we’ll evaluate C.J. and see where he is, but no update at this time.”
The Texans acquired Gardner-Johnson and a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason in exchange for offensive guard Kenyon Green and a 2025 fifth-rounder.
Before returning to Philadelphia and helping them win Super Bowl LIX, Gardner-Johnson spent the 2023 season with the Lions.
His lone year in Detroit was derailed by a torn pectoral muscle, limiting him to just six appearances -- three in the regular season and three in the playoffs. He finished with 17 combined tackles, three passes defended, and one interception.
Known as “Ceedy Duce,” Gardner-Johnson signed a three-year, $27 million deal with $10 million guaranteed to return to the Eagles after the 2023 season. He was later dealt to Houston.
Originally a 2019 fourth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints, Gardner-Johnson spent his first three NFL seasons in New Orleans before stints with the Eagles, Lions and now Texans.
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