The Texans leave for northern California on Thursday.
On Tuesday, head coach Bill O'Brien described the tentative plans for the team's work versus the 49ers.
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"We'll go against each other on Friday, and then Saturday we're still kind of talking about," O'Brien said. "More than likely, Saturday would be separate. Walkthrough, separate."
The two squads square off Sunday evening in the preseason opener. Seeing a new set of players in practice, though, will be big for the Texans.
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"**Now you get a new team, new schemes, different tempo, different vibe, you're also able to see their roster, they're able to see your roster," O'Brien said. "There's 90 guys out there and not everybody can make the team, so that has a lot to do with it – evaluating both rosters. It's just a good chance to get with another team and try to get better."
For veteran cornerback Johnathan Joseph, the trip west is a welcome change.
"It gives the guys a chance to go out there and study other guys," Joseph said. "Being against a fast, up-tempo offense, it tests your conditioning also so there's another big factor."
Off the field, O'Brien said he thinks the trip is beneficial in numerous ways as well.
"You're able to go away now for four days to San Francisco, get in the hotel, get out of Houston for a few days, get together as a team, meet, eat, compete, do all those things together and just talk football," O'Brien said. "I think there's a lot to that, there's a lot to the word 'chemistry', and I think that helps the chemistry of the football team."
The Texans practice against Washington for three days in Richmond, Virginia last August. In 2014, they spent part of a week in Colorado working against the Broncos before their preseason contest in Denver.
When O'Brien and company return from the game versus San Francisco, they'll practice next week with the New Orleans Saints at the Houston Methodist Training Center.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 2/26/2021)
ILB, Tyrell Adams #50
TE, Jordan Akins, 88
DT, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
P, Bryan Anger, 9
CB, Cornell Armstrong, 30
C/G, Beau Benzschawel #62
DT, Ross Blacklock #90
ILB, Curtis Bolton #47
DT, Andrew Brown, #97
TE Pharaoh Brown #85
C, Cohl Cabral #72
WR, Randall Cobb #18
ILB, Dylan Cole, 51
CB, Gareon Conley, 22
WR, Brandin Cooks #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter #82
WR, Keke Coutee, 16
CB, Keion Crossen, 35
ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41
DE, Brandon Dunn, 92
OLB, Duke Ejiofor, 53
ILB, Kyle Emanuel, 56
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7
TE, Darren Fells, 87
CB, Mark Fields II #39
G, Hjalte Froholdt #77
OL, Zach Fulton, 73
CB, Phillip Gaines #29
FB, Cullen Gillaspia, 44
OLB, Jonathan Greenard #52
ILB, Nate Hall, 48
NT, P.J. Hall #96
WR, Chad Hansen, #17
CB, Vernon Hargreaves III #26
T, Charlie Heck #67
RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #22
OL, Tytus Howard, 71
RB, Buddy Howell, 38
RB, David Johnson #31
CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32
T, Roderick Johnson #63
LS, Anthony Kukwa #45
LB, Jacob Martin, 54
QB, AJ McCarron #2
QB, Josh McCown, 3
LB, Benardrick McKinney, 55
OLB, Whitney Mercilus, 59
WR, Steven Mitchell, Jr., 11
S, A.J. Moore, 33
S Eric Murray #23
DE, Charles Omenihu, 94
S, Jonathan Owens, 36
RB, Scottie Phillips, #40
G/T Brent Qvale #76
WR, Damion Ratley, #19
CB, John Reid #34
S, Justin Reid, 20
OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57
OL, Max Scharping, 74
S, Michael Thomas #28
TE, Kahale Warring, 81
DL, Carlos Watkins, 91
QB, Deshaun Watson, 4
LS, Jon Weeks #46
