Texans Players Considered Walking Out Of Practice Due To Comments Made By Bob McNair

Update:

According to Adam Schefter, Texans HC Bill O’Brien apprised the players of owner Bob McNair’s comments at Friday morning’s meeting so they weren’t blindsided by anything.

Schefter adds that O’Brien, GM Rick Smith, and assistant HC Romeo Crennel led a 90-minute team meeting in which players were given a platform to discuss their concerns.

The expectation, according to Schefter, is that all of the Texans’ players including WR DeAndre Hopkins will be with the team as they travel to Seattle for their game against the Seahawks, but cautions: “We’ll see.”

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According to Sarah Barshop and Adam Schefter, the Houston Texans players wanted to walk out of practice on Friday in response to the comments made by owner Bob McNair at the recent league meetings. However, the players were persuaded to stay.

Schefter adds that the absence of WR DeAndre Hopkins from practice today was specifically related to McNair’s comments.

ESPN reported this morning that McNair told owners at the league meeting that “[w]e can’t have the inmates running the prison” regarding the ongoing anthem protests.

McNair issued a statement earlier in the day regarding his comments.

“I regret that I used that expression,” McNair said. “I never meant to offend anyone and I was not referring to our players. I used a figure of speech that was never intended to be taken literally. I would never characterize our players or our league that way and I apologize to anyone who was offended by it.”

Texans HC Bill O’Brien said he’s “100 percent” behind the players on this issue.

“I’m 100 percent with these players,” O’Brien said, per Mark Berman. “Our coaching staff is 100 percent behind these players… I just want to focus on Seattle. I think that’s what our team is trying to do.”

As for Hopkins, O’Brien told reporters after practice that Hopkins took a “personal day” and he expects him to play in Week 8.

“I would tell you he’ll be here [for the game],” O’Brien said, per Sarah Barshop. “If something changes, we’ll let you know.”

Texans LT Duane Brown confirmed to reports that they met before practice and decided to ultimately stay but he doesn’t consider the matter to be over and expects them to reconvene later, per Aaron Wilson.

We’ll have more regarding the Texans as the news is available.