Overview
- Gardner-Johnson suffered a right leg injury on August 7 during a training camp scrimmage at the Greenbrier Resort and was carted off after being unable to bear weight on his leg.
- MRI scans performed the same day showed no ACL tear, and subsequent diagnostic tests have confirmed his ACL remains intact.
- Sources say it is not out of the question that he could be cleared to play by the September 7 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
- Head coach DeMeco Ryans described watching his star safety go down as “heartbreaking” and emphasized cautious optimism as the team monitors his recovery.
- With Gardner-Johnson’s status still pending, Houston is evaluating depth options in its secondary, including veterans M.J. Stewart, Russ Yeast and rookie Jaylen Reed.