About 40 players take part in first offseason workday

About 40 Texans players worked out at NRG Stadium on Monday, the first day of the NFL’s nine-week offseason program that ends June 18.

Phase One of the voluntary program — Monday through May 14 — includes up to two hours of virtual meetings and conditioning in the weight room. There’s no onfield work or coaching involved in the first phase.

The Texans, who have 78 players under contract, move to Phase Two from May 17-21 when the players have on-field teaching by the coaches and virtual meetings.

Phase Three is May 24-June 18 and includes 10 OTAs (organized team activities). Players go full speed on the practice field with no contact. The three-day minicamp is the only aspect that’s mandatory during the nine-week program.

The NFL Players Association recommended to the players they work out on their own rather than report to team facilities. The NFLPA prefers a virtual offseason program like last season when COVID-19 forced leaguewide changes.

The NFL contends that facilities are safe because teams are still enforcing the same protocols as last season.

Even though the offseason program is voluntary except for the June minicamp, the first real test during the stalemate between the union and the league is Phase Two. That’s when players are supposed to be on the practice field working with coaches rather than doing the work virtually as the NFLPA recommends.

The NFLPA said players from the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers,

49ers, Rams, Seahawks, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots, Chargers, Raiders, Broncos, Falcons, Saints, Steelers, Browns, Ravens, Giants, Eagles, Vikings, Bears and Lions posted statements that they would not be on hand at team facilities for voluntary work. Those statements did not cover every player from those clubs.