Texans rookie CB Lonnie Johnson kicked out of joint practice with Packers after laying big hits

Don’t worry about Houston Texans cornerback Lonnie Johnson’s health; the rookie appears to be just fine after missing a couple practices.

The second-round pick from Kentucky left practice early for a different cause this time: he was liberal with laying the wood.

According to the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson, Johnson hit Green Bay Packers rookie tight end Jace Sternberger, a former Texas A&M Aggie, so hard his helmet came off. Then, Johnson celebrated by flexing, according to Wilson. Of course, that immediately started a scuffle between the two teams during their joint practice Monday.

CB Lonnie Johnson Jr (@Lonnie30johnson) with a clean hit on former @AggieFootball TE Jace Sternberger and the Packers didn't like it, causing tempers to flare for a few seconds.

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) August 5, 2019

During a kickoff drill thereafter, according to Wilson, Johnson ran through receiver Trevor Davis. Texans coach Bill O’Brien stepped in, and he sent the former Wildcat inside for the rest of the practice.

Bill O'Brien on Lonnie Johnson being booted from remainder of practice after hitting Jace Sternberger: '"That's between me and Lonnie, it's not a big deal. It was a play that developed over there, and it was time for Lonnie to head to the showers."

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 5, 2019

According to Wilson, during O’Brien’s presser after practice, the Texans coach said it was simply time for Johnson, “to head to the showers,” and didn’t characterize the incidents as a “big deal.”

The Texans and Packers have one more joint practice on Tuesday before having a day off ahead of their preseason opener on Aug. 8 at Lambeau Field.