HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans released starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday after only three games with the team.
Houston acquired Gardner-Johnson from Philadelphia in the offseason in a trade for offensive lineman Kenyon Green in hopes that his ball-hawking ability would provide a boost to the Texans secondary.
Gardner-Johnson played 96% of the defensive snaps as Houston got off to an 0-3 start. He had 15 tackles but had no interceptions or passes defensed.
The Texans restructured Gardner-Johnson's contract before the season to give him a $6.6 million signing bonus that he keeps despite getting cut.
Gardner-Johnson had six interceptions for the Eagles in both 2022 and 2024 as he helped Philadelphia reach the Super Bowl both seasons and win it all last season. He played