Exit stage door left: controversial safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, released outright after a series of issues behind the scenes with the Texans that included finger-pointing, busted assignments, criticism and arguments with teammates.
Entering stage door right: veteran safety M.J. Stewart as his replacement as the starting safety opposite Calen Bullock.
Stewart, 30, has mostly operated on special teams, but does have some defensive experience. He has 10 career starts in 93 games with 214 tackles, two interceptions, 13 passes defenses, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one sack.
“I feel good,” Stewart said. “This is an opportunity I’ve been waiting for, so I’m going to take full advantage of it.
“Kind of just what we’ve been doing, you know, no drop-off make plays, contribute to the team be one of 11.”
Stewart has appeared in five defensive snaps this season. He was targeted once, incomplete.
Last season, he was targeted four times with one completion. Three seasons ago with the Texans, he was targeted 13 times with eight completions for 65 yards and a 74.2 passer rating against him.
“M.J. stepped in, M.J.’s played ball for us and he’s went out and played well. So, M.J. will definitely get some reps at safety and I know M.J. will do a great job with it.”
From the standpoint of Gardner-Johnson’s release after a series of behind the scenes friction and busted assignments, Stewart said he isn’t getting involved in that.
“You know, we trust coach’s decision,” Stewart said. “That decision we made so we just focused on the back end.”
Stewart’s teammates have high expectations for him, just as he does for himself.
“They all encourage me,” Stewart said. “They know what I can do and they see what I could do in practice so like they know it just transferred from the practice to the game.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com