Head Coach Bill O'Brien
(on today's practice) "It was a good practice. Those guys really responded well. Like I've said to you guys a bunch, we've got a bunch of hardworking guys and they responded well today which was good to see. It was a tough practice, wasn't an easy practice. That was good to see."
(on the last time he had them in pads like today) "Probably right before the season started. There's a rule there, which basically is one per week. I think it's a total of 15 for the year once the regular season starts. We kind of try to space it out, use them all, but maybe not all in a row basically."
After a weekend off, the Texans went back to work on Monday morning in helmets and pads.
According to head coach Bill O'Brien, it was a "good practice". The Texans fell to 1-4 following Thursday evening's loss at home to the Colts. The players were free on Saturday and Sunday, but were back at it on Monday morning at the Houston Methodist Training Center.
"Those guys really responded well," O'Brien said. "It was a tough practice, wasn't an easy practice. That was good to see."
O'Brien said the Texans hadn't practiced in pads since before the regular season started, and that teams are limited in how many times they can do so.
"There's a rule there, which basically is one per week,"O'Brien said. "I think it's a total of 15 for the year once the regular season starts. We kind of try to space it out, use them all, but maybe not all in a row basically."
Brian Hoyer, who will start at quarterback this Sunday in Jacksonville, said it was "fun" to get back out on the field.
"Sometimes when things aren't going really well for you, you just go out there and try to remember that you're playing a game," Hoyer said. "Go out there and have fun and embrace your teammates. Go out there, compete as hard as you can and, like I said, take it one day at a time."
The players will have their customary Tuesday off, and return to the practice fields on Wednesday through Friday, before leaving Saturday to face the Jaguars on Sunday.
