The Houston Texans had to place two of their starters on defense on COVID-19 reserve within 48 hours of their Week 16 contest with the Cincinnati Bengals.
On Dec. 25, outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus was placed on the reserve. On game day, Dec. 27, the Texans placed safety Eric Murray on COVID-19 reserve.
Interim coach Romeo Crennel gave an update on the status of the two defenders during his Wednesday media availability.
“They’re both recovering,” Crennel said. “They don’t seem to have any serious symptoms. They have the milder things, the headaches, the body aches. But I think they’re improving from when I’ve texted and talked to them. Now, they have to wait out their sentence so to speak. I think that they’re doing OK.”
Due to the preponderance of positive tests, the Texans had to close the team facilities and held a walkthrough on Wednesday.
“We are having a walkthrough where they’ll come, and we’ll have a walkthrough for about an hour and then they’ll leave,” said Crennel. “They are not using the facility. They come in, we go to the field, we walk through and then they leave.”
The Texans are hopeful that the cutdown on interaction between players stops the spread. Players and coaches will also be wearing masks as they attempt to “get some fundamental work done,” according to Crennel.
The Texans close out the regular season Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium against the Tennessee Titans.
