Texans eye return to Reliant Stadium
Sep 20, 11:18 am EDT
HOUSTON (TICKER) —It appears the Houston Texans will finally get to play a home game.
The Houston Chronicle reported Saturday that damaged roof panels at Reliant Stadium - as a result of Hurricane Ike - are expected to be removed in time for what will be Texans’ home opener against the Indianapolis Colts on October 5.
Stadium officials told the newspaper on Friday that the hurricane dislodged five fiberglass roof panels, but the stadium and its retractable roof are sound structurally and mechanically. However, the roof may have to be left open for the rest of the season while repairs continue.
“I’m delighted to know there’s no structural damage and that it appears we’re going to be able to play October 5 against the Colts,” Texans owner Bob McNair said. “I’m satisfied with being able to play (at Reliant) as an open-air facility for the rest of the season. That’s fine with me.”
McNair said earlier this week that the team had discussed the possibility of playing the Colts at nearby Rice Stadium if Reliant was not ready to host the game.
The Texans were originally scheduled to play their home opener against the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday, but with Hurricane Ike scheduled to make landfall in the region a day earlier, the game was pushed to Monday night.
After learning that Reliant had suffered damage from Ike, the NFL rescheduled the game for November 9, necessitating that the Texans and Ravens each use Week Two as their bye week.
Houston originally had its bye week scheduled for October 26 but instead will host the Cincinnati Bengals, who also had their bye scheduled for that weekend.
Instead, the Bengals’ bye week will be pushed back to November 9, thereby clearing the date for the Ravens-Texans rescheduled contest.
The Texans (0-1), who lost their season opener in Pittsburgh, visit the Tennessee Titans (2-0) on Sunday and will conclude their unexpected road trip on September 28 when they travel to Jacksonville.
