D.J. Reader caught a punt Wednesday, but don't expect that to happen on Sundays. Or any day the Texans play a game.
The rookie nose tackle cleanly fielded a Shane Lechler punt during practice at the Houston Methodist Training Center, and because of that, practice ended early.
"We've got a long way to go, but it's about 115 heat index out here right now and I think they were
busting pretty good this morning," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "It was time to call it a day and reward them."
With the entire team watching, Reader's catch drew a roar of approval. It came shortly after O'Brien huddled the squad together and selected the defensive lineman from Clemson.
"I usually try to pick someone that I think, I have confidence that they may catch it, but I know there's a chance they may drop it," O'Brien explained. "So if he drops it, we're going back to practice. If he catches it, we're going to move on to the next phase. He did a good job. He's had a good camp. He's a young player, so that's usually what I try to do there."
Reader lettered for the Clemson baseball team as a pitcher and first baseman, so he has experience with fly balls.
[
