As players took to the field for the first time in a new week of training camp, weather conditions reached a new high for the start of practice at the Methodist Training Center.
The Houston Texans usually begin drills by 9 a.m. to avoid the humid conditions that would often touch over 100 degrees last year.
On Tuesday, the sun belted down on C.J. Stroud and the offense as they continued drives in 95-degree heat in preparation for Saturday’s matchup against the New York Giants.
But why? Why would the Texans practice in triple-digit weather when they play indoors at NRG Stadium next door?
“Like I tell our guys, for me, it’s about adversity, and when it hits you, how do you respond?” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Some guys responded well today, some guys didn’t.”
Thursday practice was different than any other, especially with the Texans returning home for the first time in 11 days. They ran fewer drills. They took extended breaks. They entered the cooling station more than once to regulate their body temperatures.
But weather conditions can be tricky. Some weeks, Houston will deal with the frigid outdoor terrain in places like Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium or Nashville at Nissan Stadium at the season’s end.
Sometimes, Houston will play under the scorching sun in its matchup against Jacksonville in early December.
Ryans wanted to test the mind and the body on physical and mental toughness.
Some players passed with flying colors. Some failed.
Even those reporting from the sidelines struggled to stay in the sun for two hours.
“How did y’all do in the heat today?” guard Shaq Mason said when asked about the weather. “It was definitely one of the hottest days, but we need days like this.”
Kickoff against New York is scheduled for noon CT.
