WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — The injury bug struck on the last day of practice for the Houston Texans in West Virginia, with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffering a right leg injury.

Tests revealed Thursday night that Gardner-Johnson’s ACL is intact, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, but the Texans are still conducting more testing to determine the extent of the injury.

During a scrimmage at the Greenbrier Resort, Gardner-Johnson tackled wideout John Metchie III. After making contact, Gardner-Johnson fell to the ground, couldn’t move his lower right leg and writhed in pain as the practice fell silent.

Players and coaches surrounded Gardner-Johnson, and the medical staff helped him onto the cart. Gardner-Johnson couldn’t put pressure on his right leg.

The Texans traded left guard Kenyon Green to the Philadelphia Eagles in March for Gardner-Johnson, who was supposed to replace 2024 starting safety Eric Murray after he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency on a three-year, $22.5 million deal.

Gardner-Johnson’s injury could be a devastating blow to a secondary that features All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., cornerback Kamari Lassiter, safety Calen Bullock and nickel Jalen Pitre, who led the Texans to the second-most interceptions last season (19).

Adding Gardner-Johnson, who had six interceptions in 2024 (tied for third most) and has 18 in his career, was supposed to elevate a defense that ranked sixth in passing yards allowed (201 yards per game) and 13th in scoring defense (21.9) last season.

If Gardner-Johnson misses time, the Texans would lean on safety M.J. Stewart or safety Russ Yeast to replace him. Also, Pitre has experience at safety, a position he played from 2022 to 2023. Jimmie Ward is on the physically unable to perform list and had legal issues in June.

Ward was arrested in Montgomery County, Texas, on a charge of family violence after an incident in Magnolia. The NFL is reviewing the matter under its personal conduct policy.