Working out has gotten a little trickier for everyone these days, including the Houston Texans players.
Gyms, pools and parks have been closed for weeks, and the general public has adjusted. The NFL has closed team facilities league-wide, so players are finding new places to stay in shape.
"Nick Martin has taken some of the weight equipment out of our weight room and transferred it over to his garage," Texans head coach Bill O'Brien said of the team's center.
O'Brien took part in a conference call and covered a range of topics, including what the team is doing to stay physically fit during the COVID-19 pandemic. The head coach stressed how important it is for everyone, including the players, to practice social distancing. But he also said that those same players are simply re-adjusting to the rules set in place by the NFL, and in most cases, state and local governments.
"We have a bunch of guys that are go-getters, that are able to work out on their own and get things done," O'Brien said of the Texans.
He pointed to defensive end J.J. Watt, who's been working out in Wisconsin, and quarterback Deshaun Watson, who's staying in shape in Georgia, as a few leaders in that regard. O'Brien also said many of the players have sent in videos of their new 'home gyms' and workout facilities.
Closer to home, outside linebacker Jacob Martin transformed his garage into a home gym in a matter of three days.
"I put a real-life gym together in my garage in about a 72-hour span," Martin said. "I ordered stuff off Amazon, and things like that."
O'Brien is proud of his team, but said he'd rather be able to see them in person.
"We do miss the players," O'Brien said. "We're going to miss that offseason program. It hasn't been officially cancelled yet, but I think it will be. We're going to miss that."
The Texans were scheduled to start their offseason conditioning program on April 20 at NRG Stadium.
