Texans, Saints Cancel Joint Practices Ahead of Preseason Game

DeMeco Ryans and Dennis Allen agreed to forgo the scheduled joint practice sessions this week.

The Texans and Saints have agreed to cancel their joint practices that were scheduled for Thursday and Friday of this week, opting instead to prepare for the upcoming season on their own, according to a joint statement released Sunday.

“Our two teams have mutually agreed to cancel the joint practices that were scheduled in New Orleans this week. After our head coaches spoke earlier today, we decided this was in the best interest of both teams as we continue to prepare for the regular season. A revised practice schedule for each team will be communicated once finalized,” said the statement, signed by both organizations. 

Saints head coach Dennis Allen indicated that both he and Houston’s DeMeco Ryans did not feel the joint practices would be productive, and thus agreed to cancel them, per Mike Garafolo. Ryans also said the Texans were a bit “banged up.”

The teams are set to face off in New Orleans on Sunday, Aug. 27 at the Caesars Superdome for their final preseason game ahead of the 2023 NFL season. 

Last week, the Texans held a pair of joint practices with the Dolphins on Wednesday and Thursday while the Saints were practicing together alongside the Chargers on Thursday and Friday.