HOUSTON — On Sunday night, the Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints released a joint statement that their joint training camp practices in Metairie, La. the upcoming week would be canceled.
The Texans held joint practices with the Miami Dolphins Aug. 16-17 ahead of their Week 2 preseason game. During the week, both teams sustained injuries, leading to the decision to cancel the joint practices with the Saints.
Houston coach DeMeco Ryans addressed the issue on Monday during his press conference, and expressed gratitude to Saints coach Dennis Allen for understanding.
“With canceling the joint practices with the Saints, it is where we are as a team, a little banged up, so I thought it was in the best interest of our team and putting our guys first,” Ryans said. “I am thankful to Dennis and the Saints for the opportunity to have joint practices and with them working with us and being understandable. One thing we always talk about is a team-first mentality, and that went into the decision.
“Just looking at our team and where we are now, it would not have been as productive as we would have liked it to be if we went to New Orleans. The flip side of it is that we get the opportunity to treat this week as a normal in-season game week for us. There is benefits to that for our whole entire team and coaching staff to be able to go through the process of a normal in-season week.”
“With canceling the joint practices with the Saints, it is where we are as a team, a little banged up, so I thought it was in the best interest of our team and putting our guys first,” Ryans said to the media on Monday. #Texans #Sarge @TheTexansWire pic.twitter.com/KcNcutrJ0l
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) August 21, 2023
Houston will play their final preseason game against the Saints on Sunday night at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. Central.
