Texans hope to lasso 15,000 fans on Oct. 4

The Houston Texans are seeking approval from city and county officials to have 15,000 fans at NRG Stadium, beginning with their Oct. 4 game against the Minnesota Vikings.

The retractable- roof stadium’s normal capacity is 72,220, but no fans will be allowed at the Texans’ home opener this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“We have implemented all the rigorous protocols required by the National Football League to ensure the health and safety of our fans, our staff and our team,” the team posted Thursday on Twitter.

“We look forward to welcoming our home- field advantage back to NRG Stadium and resuming our beloved Texans gameday traditions very soon. We live in the most diverse community in America and nothing brings us together like Houston Texans football.”

The Texans ranked ninth in the NFL last season in home attendance with an average of 71,793 fans per game.

Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin did not participate in practice on Thursday and remains in concussion protocol, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Godwin has remained a spectator this week after taking a hit to the helmet in the Buccaneers’ 34- 23 season-opening loss to New Orleans. The Pro Bowl wideout led Tampa Bay with six receptions for 79 yards in the opener.

Godwin, 24, exhibited no symptoms Monday or Tuesday but had some Wednesday, coach Bruce Arians said.

The fourth- year pro caught 86 passes for 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games last season.

The Buccaneers will look to record their first win of the season on Sunday against the visiting Carolina Panthers (0-1).

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay and cornerback Desmond Trufant did not practise on Thursday because of their respective hamstring injuries.

Golladay, who missed practice on Wednesday, sat out the Lions’ 27- 23 season- opening setback to Chicago on Sunday. For his part, Trufant sustained his injury during that game.

Cornerback Jeff Okudah, the third overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, returned to practice on Wednesday and could be in line to face the Green Bay Packers ( 1- 0) on Sunday.

Golladay, 26, had 65 receptions for 1,190 yards and 11 touchdowns last season to earn Pro Bowl honours for the first time in his career.

Matthew Stafford fared wel l without Golladay against the Bears, throwing for 297 yards and a touchdown pass to tight end T. J. Hockenson.

Wideout Danny Amendola joined Hockenson with a team- high five receptions, while Marvin Jones Jr. had four.