Texans ‘expect’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson to be ready for Rams game: ‘Doing really well

HOUSTON – Texans veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is expected to be back in the lineup for the season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams after injuring his knee during training camp.

“C.J. is doing really well, progressing fine,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We expect him to be ready for Week One.

Gardner-Johnson, since getting hurt at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, has been seen working out on the side with trainers. He has made steady progress behind the scenes.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio was noncommittal last week on Gardner-Johnson’s status.

“We’ll see, he’s worked hard,” Caserio said last week of Gardner-Johnson. “We’ll see if he’s ready to practice here at some point. So, ‘Ceedy’ is a good player. We think he can help us. We’ll see how much progress he makes.

“Again, we’re not playing a game for 10 days, so there’s a lot of things that can happen between now and the start of the season. We’ll see how it goes. But ‘Ceedy’ is in a good spot. He’s worked really hard and made some progress. We’ll see when he’s ready to go.”

In an upbeat tone previously, Ryans reflected on the positive medical outlook for Gardner-Johnson.

In other news, Gardner-Johnson has switched jersey numbers to No. 8, his preferred number, switching from the No. 23, weeks after the Texans traded wide receiver John Metchie III, who previously wore No. 8, to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Gardner-Johnson avoided a potentially more serious knee injury when he got hurt at The Greenbrier Sports Performance Center in West Virginia. Further tests revealed that Gardner-Johnson could be back as soon as the first game against the Los Angeles Rams, per league sources, with his return to play depending on how rest, rehabilitation and possible other medical treatment goes.

The good news is that Gardner-Johnson, a Super Bowl champion who intercepted six passes last season for the Philadelphia Eagles, is slated to return sooner rather than later.

It’s 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.

Video showed that Gardner-Johnson’s cleat slid across the grass at The Greenbrier Sports Performance Center and then the cleat got stuck in the grass, leaving his leg in a vulnerable position.

The type of knee injury Gardner-Johnson sustained can be treated through a combination of rest and rehab, or even a PRP shot to address the inflammation in the joint. In more severe injuries, it can be treated with an arthroscopic procedure.

Gardner-Johnson, acquired in an offseason trade from the Philadelphia Eagles, was defending Metchie in a routine play in a scrimmage. Gardner-Johnson intercepted six passes for the Super Bowl champions last season and is slated for a major role in the Texans’ defense as a starter opposite Calen Bullock. Gardner-Johnson provides a hard-hitting, instinctive presence. He has 18 career interceptions.

The Texans ranked sixth in passing defense and 13th in scoring defense last season and appear primed for major improvements this season on defense.

“With C.J., he’s great,” Ryans said. “He wants to be around the team. Still has a smile on his face, but he’ll be back, so we’re excited about it.”

NOTE: The Texans assigned No. 14 to wide receiver Jaylin Noel, No. 22 to cornerback Jaylin Smith and No. 23 to safety Jaylen Reed.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com