Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (8) celebrates after winning Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Geoff Burke
This story originally appeared on Inside The Birds.
The Houston Texans released veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday afternoon, six months after acquiring him in a trade with the Eagles in exchange for guard Kenyon Green. The March trade has proven to be a wash for both teams, with Green on and off the Eagles’ active roster and Gardner-Johnson lasting only three games in Houston.
Appearing in three games (three starts) with the Texans, Gardner-Johnson logged 202 defensive snaps, accounting for 96 percent of the total. He was credited with 15 tackles and a defended pass. Now, the playmaking center fielder eyes his next opportunity, adding to his list of stops which also includes the Saints and Lions.
A key backend piece for Vic Fangio’s defense last season, Gardner-Johnson registered 59 tackles (two for loss), 12 passes defended and six interceptions.
His release, naturally, spawned discourse surrounding a potential reunion with the Eagles for a third time. But the reality is that the Eagles prepared themselves for life without Gardner-Johnson – drafting Texas S Drew Mukuba in the second-round — and aren’t in the same spot as they were the previous two occasions. And on Wednesday, when asked if the team had any interest in a reunion, Nick Sirianni took the opportunity to positively highlight the Eagles’ youth-infused safety room, expressing confidence in the group the team currently has in place.
“I really am excited about the room we have,” he said. “I think they’ve done a really nice job to date. We got a good, young player in Andrew Mukuba who continues to get better. And I think that having Reed next to him is helping him get better. And just as how Reed got better, having Marcus Epps in the building. I’ve said that in here before about Marcus Epps. So, just really excited about that room. Sydney is doing a really good job, doing a good job on special teams and doing some work on defense as well. So, I’m really excited about that group and pleased with that group.”
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Roster shuffle: The Eagles announced a flurry of roster moves ahead of practice. Placed on Injured Reserve were OLB Nolan Smith, CB Jakorian Bennett and WR Darius Cooper. My understanding is that the injuries to Smith, Bennett and Cooper won’t require surgery. There’s optimism that they could all return around the bye week. Replacing the aforementioned trio on the 53-man roster are S Marcus Epps, TE Cam Latu and CB Parry Nickerson.
LB Lance Dixon, DB Eli Ricks and WR Quez Watkins were signed to the practice squad.
New uniform numbers: WR/RS Xavier Gipson, awarded via waivers earlier this week, has been issued No. 87. Ricks, who’d previously worn No. 23 during his previous stint with the Eagles, now dons No. 41. Watkins, who was among seven players who worked out for the team a couple weeks ago, wears No. 46. Dixon, who was with the Eagles in camp and had some positive moments before sustaining an injury in the preseason finale, has been issued No. 50.
