C.J. Gardner-Johnson joins Ravens practice squad after Texans release

C.J. Gardner-Johnson is on the move — again. 

The controversial safety, widely considered one of the biggest trash talkers in the NFL, signed with the Baltimore Ravens to join their practice squad, the team announced Tuesday.

Baltimore (1-4) has taken a beating on the defensive side this season and looks to bolster its safety depth after Pro Bowl defensive back Kyle Hamilton was sidelined Sunday with a groin injury. 

In Hamilton’s place, the Ravens started a pair of rookies — first-round pick Malaki Starks and undrafted free agent Reuben Lowery — in a 44-10 blowout loss to the Houston Texans. 

For the divisive Gardner-Johnson, Baltimore marks fourth stop in three years, following his shocking release from Houston after just three games. 

The Texans traded for the seven-year vet, fresh off a Super Bowl title with the Philadelphia Eagles, in March in exchange for left guard Kenyon Green, a 2022 second-round pick.

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He struggled to find his footing across three starts for the 0-3 Texans, logging 15 tackles while allowing six catches on eight targets, according to Pro Football Focus.

Gardner-Johnson still squeezed in a viral moment during his brief tenure with the Texans, engaging in a heated stare-down with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield during their matchup on Sept. 15.

He exchanged jabs with the “ringless” field general following the game.

Gardner-Johnson, 27, spent his first three seasons with the New Orleans Saints before getting moved to the Eagles in 2022, where he tied for the league lead with six interceptions on the way to a Super Bowl appearance.

He spent the following season with the Detroit Lions, then returned to Philadelphia in 2024 and helped the Eagles redeem themselves against the Kansas City Chiefs with a 40-22 triumph at Super Bowl 2025.

Gardner-Johnson trolled the Chiefs and tight end Travis Kelce after the Super Bowl, then blasted the Eagles on his way out.

“Scared of a competitor,” Gardner-Johnson said on “The Pivot” podcast in July, when asked why he thinks he got traded. “Simple as that. … You can’t program a dog.”

The Baltimore Ravens look to snap a three-game skid against the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon.