O’Brien, Easterby praise facility’s safety
Inside of a gleaming NRG Stadium, Bill O’Brien is proud of its medical-grade, spotless floors and the Texans’ initial steps during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Texans are among NFL teams, including the Patriots, Chargers, Saints, Panthers, Cardinals and Seahawks, with no players placed on COVID-19 reserve list. That means no Texans players have tested positive or been forced to quarantine because of close proximity to an infected person or persons upon reporting to training camp.
The Texans coach and general manager said he has been tested 20 times.
“We have had 100 percent negative tests, which I think is a testament to our staff and our players, that they’re obviously taking this thing seriously,” O’Brien said Friday morning during a Zoom video call. “Our building has been basically redone, refurbished, in every way, shape and form. You’ve got three different locker rooms we’re using, the cafeteria is redone, new flooring, everything. I feel like we’re headed in the right direction.
“I know it’s very, very early, but we feel really good about where we’re at. We have zero positive tests. I think that’s a good sign. It’s such a transmittable disease, that’s what concerns you.”
Texans executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby praised BioReference Laboratories, which is contracted by the league for on-site testing, for a fast turnaround on results. The hope is to avoid a situation similar to the Miami Marlins baseball team, which has been stricken by positive tests.
“One of the things that we’ve really been blessed by is they actually are doing a lot of the test results in Houston,” Easterby said. “Not every team is fortunate enough to have their test results so close. We’re getting our test results back very quickly. As we test during the week, we’ll strategize our testing around making sure we have results before we get on a plane.
“We’ve kind of simulated some game weeks. Coach and I have walked through that together, ‘OK, here is when we would test during the week. Here is when we will get the results back.’ I feel very confident that we’ll be getting the results back in plenty of time to make those decisions and to prepare if a guy does test positive to be able to handle that situation accordingly.”
Following a virtual offseason, the Texans’ return to in-person work was preceded by an overhaul of the training facility. There are facial recognition systems for touchless door entry, hand sanitizer at every table and socially distanced seating. A tiered system limits the amount of people with access to restricted areas and direct access to players and coaches. Educational safety and hygiene materials were distributed to everyone.
The Texans use Kinexon proximity recording devices for contact tracing and distancing guidelines.
“It’s a great opportunity for the NFL to do something a little different than some of the other leagues have done,” Easterby said. “Those devices keep Tier 1 and Tier 2, really essential people to our operation, away from other people who may not be essential to our operation right now down here in the players’ and coaches’ space.
“If you get too close, they beep, which is really cool because it gives you an awareness of other people that may be around you. If we do get a situation where we have an outbreak, we understand that it tracks who overlaps with who, so that we know specifically who we would have to quarantine. It’s an educational device. It’s also a warning device.”
Although the Texans are off to an encouraging start, O’Brien acknowledged things can change quickly and that the team must maintain a vigilant approach. The NFL and NFLPA agreed to an amendment to the collective bargaining agreement that states players can be punished for conduct detrimental if it’s found that they engaged in unsafe behavior, including going to crowded bars, nightclubs, restaurants or religious services.
“I think for the NFL it’s going to be doing a great job of continuing to emphasize when they leave the building and making sure also that we also have great empathy for these guys, that we understand what they’re going through and understand there may be concerns that may come up,” O’Brien said. “The biggest thing is when they leave the building. This is the cleanest building in Houston. You could eat off the floor in here. I think it’s going to be the most disciplined team away from the building that is going to have the best chance to win.”
Masks are mandatory inside the building. O’Brien took exception with how the mask issue has become so divisive around the country.
“I don’t understand why it has been politicized as much as it has, but it has,” O’Brien said. “Obviously, we tell our players that I don’t really care what somebody politicizes about mask wearing. Mask wearing has been scientifically proven to reduce your chance of getting the coronavirus, so we’re going to do that.
“We’re going to wear our masks when we’re in the building until we get out to practice with our helmets on. We’re also going to socially distance. That also has been scientifically proven.”