HOUSTON -- In a surprise move, the Texans released safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday, a source told ESPN.

In three starts, Gardner-Johnson had 15 tackles with no interceptions or pass breakups.

The Texans traded their 2022 first-round pick -- left guard Kenyon Green -- to the Philadelphia Eagles for Gardner-Johnson in March, hoping to add a ball hawk. Gardner-Johnson had six interceptions in 2024 for the Eagles in their march to a Super Bowl title.

Gardner-Johnson has struggled to pick up coach DeMeco Ryans' defensive scheme this season, which has contributed to several big plays against the secondary through the first three weeks for the Texans, who are 0-3 to start the season.

On Monday, Ryans was asked about the communication between his secondary's players, admitting "

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