The NFL rejected the Texans’ attempt to switch to regular season mode on Thursday and limit media access to practices.
Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle/Team PhotographerScore one for the media.
The Texans told reporters who cover the team that Wednesday would be the last day of training camp and they would go into regular-season mode Thursday, two days before the first preseason game in Green Bay.
The change would mean media limitations would go into effect, but there was a catch – NFL rules state, “All daily practices must be open in their entirety to local media through August 26.”
The Texans were notified of the violation and they returned to training camp mode.
Now reporters can continue to watch all practices until two days before the final preseason game on Aug. 28 against Tampa Bay at NRG Stadium.
During the regular season, teams may limit reporters to watching minimal practices, usually only stretches and warm-ups.
Under the Texans’ first two coaches, Dom Capers and Gary Kubiak, reporters were allowed to watch every practice all the time. They changed minimally when Bill O’Brien was hired in 2014.
