Teams await OK to return to Florida
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been in Houston so long now that they have a local gym.
The Jaguars were forced Monday to stay another night in Houston because of Hurricane Irma, creating a stressful situation for players, coaches and staff as well as for family members awaiting their return.
“It’s very difficult,” head coach Doug Marrone said Monday on a conference call with reporters. “You’re looking at the news and trying to make sure we check on family. Operationally, from that end, it’s always a challenge. Again, that’s where all of our resources are put right now: making sure of the safety for the people that are back in Jacksonville.”
The Jaguars stayed in Houston following a 29-7 victory against the Texans because of the hurricane, and they had to stay an extra night because the Jacksonville airport was closed Monday after the storm passed.
Jacksonville is scheduled to host Tennessee on Sunday. Marrone said officials are assessing damage to EverBank Field and will determine whether the game will be played as scheduled.
The Miami Dolphins evacuated from south Florida before the storm’s arrival and will practice in Oxnard (Ventura County) this week to prepare for their delayed start of the season, Sunday against the Chargers in Carson (Los Angeles County). A possible tornado was reported near the Dolphins’ stadium during Irma, and structural engineers will inspect the canopy Tuesday for potential damage, a person familiar with the situation said.
In other storm-related news:
Six percent of the membrane on the retractable roof at Marlins Park will need to be replaced after the season because of damage from Hurricane Irma. The Miami Marlins said the damage was to the rubber and plastic membrane on a facing panel of the roof, which weatherproofs the roof structure. The ballpark had no flooding or water damage.
Florida International has called off its football game at Indiana on Saturday.
It’s unclear when the FIU football team will leave Birmingham, Ala., where it has been for nearly a week to get away from the storm. Irma, as a tropical storm, reached Birmingham on Monday.
Central Florida’s football team will not play for a second consecutive weekend. It was scheduled to host Georgia Tech on Saturday, but that game has been canceled.