How Jalen Mills Fits Into the Texans’ Defense After C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s Injury

When I wrote my recent piece on potential safety signings following C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s injury, one of the most obvious names on the list was Jalen Mills. At the time, Gardner-Johnson’s status felt like it could be season-ending, so the Texans’ next move was a big question mark. Just a day later, we learned the outlook was far more optimistic — with a real chance he’s back for Week 1, or at worst, after missing minimal time.

Regardless of that update, my original analysis still holds. The strong safety position in DeMeco Ryans’ defense is about more than athletic ability. It’s a spot where trust, communication, and veteran reliability are non-negotiable. That’s why I suspected MJ Stewart would be the immediate answer if CJGJ had to miss time. Stewart’s consistency in alignment and assignment makes him a safe choice, even if he’s not the most explosive athlete on the roster.

Mills now gives the Texans valuable depth — and if he shows early reliability or Stewart falters, he could push for snaps in that role.

This move comes after a wild stretch for the safety room. CJGJ’s knee injury happened Thursday during practice in West Virginia. That same night, Jimmie Ward was arrested for the second time in two months. Ward remains on the PUP list as his legal situation unfolds.

Mills’ résumé is impressive. A DeSoto, Texas native and LSU product, he was a seventh-round pick by the Eagles in 2016 and quickly earned a starting role, playing a key part in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl LII victory. After four seasons there, he signed a multi-year deal with the New England Patriots in 2021, where his versatility and football IQ stood out. He spent part 2024 with the New York Jets, working within Robert Saleh’s defensive system — a scheme that likely remained in place even after Saleh’s dismissal early in the season.

Texans fans may remember an early connection between Mills and C.J. Stroud. In Stroud’s first-ever NFL drive during the 2023 preseason opener, Mills intercepted him as a member of the Patriots. Stroud later explained that Bill Belichick had shown him a safety look he’d never seen before, and it baited him into the throw — a veteran move by Mills that set the tone for his reputation as a savvy defender.

Across 115 career games (91 starts), Mills has tallied 59 passes defended, 8 interceptions, and 450 tackles.

Bottom line: I still believe MJ Stewart is the frontrunner to start at strong safety if CJGJ isn’t ready for Week 1. But in a defense where communication and mental discipline are just as valuable as speed and range, adding Mills gives DeMeco Ryans another trusted veteran — and that could prove critical as the season unfolds.