Defensive tackle Travis Johnson, a former first-round pick from Florida State, was slowed by injuries this offseason.
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Texans traded defensive tackle Travis Johnson to the San Diego Chargers today in exchange for a conditional draft choice - either a fifth- or sixth-round pick based on Johnson's performance.
Per team policy, the Texans do not announce any transactions until they are official. The trade would become official once Johnson passes his physical.
Johnson, a fifth-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft out of Florida State, has been slowed by an assortment of injuries in his career with the Texans. Recently, he had surgey for a hernia and has spent most of the preseason recovering from the operation.
In four seasons, Johnson has played in 54 games with 106 tackles, two sacks and one interception. His best season came in 2007, when he had 41 tackles and five pass deflections. Last year, he played in 14 games and finished with 28 tackles and a sack.
After practice Saturday, Texans coach Gary Kubiak sounded hopeful that Johnson could suit up for tonight's Monday Night Football matchup with Minnesota.
"He will be a game-time decision," Kubiak said. "He looked pretty good moving around, so we'll see where he's at on Monday."
Johnson returned from the sports hernia last Monday and steadily practiced more with the team each day last week. But Kubiak said Johnson would have to fight for a spot on the roster
"We need to get him back out there to get him a chance to compete for a spot on this team," the head coach said last Monday.
