The Texans continue to be impacted by an outbreak of COVID cases across the NFL.
The Texans placed starting cornerback Terrance Mitchell on the reserve-COVID-19 list along with safety Terrence Brooks and practice squad cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc on Thursday.
The Texans placed starting linebacker and defensive captain Christian Kirksey on the reserve-COVID-19 list Wednesday after he tested positive along with safety A.J. Moore and injured defensive end DeMarcus Walker. They joined starting linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill and practice squad running back Jaylon Samuels on the list. Starting running back David Johnson was activated from the COVID list on Monday after missing Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
“The changes we’ve made are the changes that the NFL requires us to make,” Texans coach David Culley said Wednesday. “Usually all those changes come down from the league office, and once the league office gives us those changes, then we go by those changes.
“There’s really not anything else we can do. I think our people here, our staff do a great job of everything that we need to do to prevent this thing from happening. It’s happening across the league. Obviously, this past week and these past couple of days, there’s been a little bit more outbreak.”
Culley said that former Texans linebacker Zach Cunningham, cut because of multiple disciplinary issues and claimed by the Tennessee Titans, was the only unvaccinated player on the roster other than current linebacker Eric Wilson.
There were 36 positive tests, an NFL record, on Monday, according to the NFL.
Texans players, including safety Eric Murray, said they’re taking every precaution.
“Just the usual: mask up, wash your hands, social distance, and things like that,” Murray said. “I think right now with the holidays coming around and stuff, it’s more important to do those types of things and work on those. That’s really been the general message.
“You’ve got to do what’s best for you to protect yourself. I’ve got kids, me personally, so anything that’s available for me to protect them, I’m going to do that.”
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