A SUPER Bowl 59 champion has been carted off the field in an emotional scene with his teammates.
The Houston Texans saw one of their star players go down with an injury as the team gathered in silence over a potential long-term concern.
Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson helped the Eagles win Super Bowl 59 in February[/caption]
On Thursday, Texans safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was carted off during training camp practice in West Virginia, per ESPN.
Gardner-Johnson suffered a right leg injury while tackling wide receiver John Metchie III and was unable to put weight on his leg, per KPRC2 in Houston.
The 27-year-old was visibly upset as he pounded the ground with his hand.
It was an emotional moment at The Greenbrier Sports Performance Center as teammates took a knee and gathered around Gardner-Johnson.
The seven-year veteran couldn’t walk as he was placed on a cart and sent to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging exam.
Texans coach DeMarco Ryans said it was “tough to watch” Gardner-Johnson suffer the injury and called the scene “heartbreaking,” according to KPRC2.
The Texans received Gardner-Johnson’s services in a March trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, who got back offensive lineman Kenyon Green and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Gardner-Johnson helped the Eagles secure the franchise’s second Super Bowl title in February.
He was set for a major role in the Texans’ defense as a starter.
Gardner-Johnson had a great 2024 season in his second stint with the Eagles.
He recorded six interceptions in 16 regular-season games and scored a defensive touchdown.
The 5-foot-11 defender signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Eagles in 2024 after he played with them in 2022 following three seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
Gardner-Johnson appeared in just three games for the Detroit Lions during his injury-plagued 2023 season.
Fans reacted to Johnson’s latest injury, which could end his 2025 season.
“Damn, get better CJ,” one wrote.
“Couldn’t even walk to the cart. Had to pick him up right where he got injured. Did not look good,” another commented.
“Prayers up for a dawg,” a third said.
“An absolute shame,” a fourth added.
NFL WEEK 1 SCHEDULE
(All times ET)
Thur 4 Sept
8.20 pm – Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Fri 5 Sept
8pm – Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
Sun 7 Sept
1pm – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
1pm – Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
1pm – Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
1pm – Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots
1pm – Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
1pm – Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
1pm – New York Giants at Washington Commanders
1pm – Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars
4.05 pm – Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos
4.05 pm – San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
4.25 pm – Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
4.25 pm – Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams
8.20 pm – Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Mon 8 Sept
8.15 pm – Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
