NRG Stadium, although still on the mend after Hurricane Beryl damage, ready to host Texans’ games

HOUSTON – As the defending AFC South champion Texans prepare for their season, the roof of their stadium is still in disrepair.

Hurricane Beryl took a toll on NRG Stadium, damaging multiple panels on the roof during the Category 1 storm.

In football parlance, NRG Stadium is playing hurt and still on the injury report, but ready to go.

During practice Thursday morning in advance of a home preseason game Saturday against the New York Giants, the panel damage was evident. The air conditioned temperatures were comfortable, though. The stadium, which is owned by Harris County, is expected to have the panels for the roof arrive and be installed within the first month of the regular season.

Texans principal owner Cal McNair said at the start of training camp that the team expects the retractable roof to have the capability to be open or closed until NRG Stadium is fully repaired.

The damage wasn’t as significant as 2008 when Hurricane Ike, a Category 2 storm, damaged five panels.

“The studies on that are ongoing, and we’ll learn more as we kind of work through it,” McNair said. “There are several panels that were damaged. These things aren’t on your local shelf at the do-it-yourself Home Depot. Wonderful stores that are around. They’re special-ordered, specially-made, so it’ll take a while. We’re hopeful that we’ll get them about a month into the season.”

The Texans host the Giants followed by the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 24.

This marks the Texans’ first home game since last season. They are the defending AFC South champions.

“Definitely exciting, get out there in front of the fans,” Texans center Juice Scruggs said. “I know they’re excited to see us. Definitely always good though, being in NRG and come out and showcase our talent.”

Their regular-season home opener is set for Sept. 15 against the Chicago Bears. It’s possible the roof won’t be repaired by that game, a nationally televised Sunday night NBC contest.

“The studies are showing that we’ll be able to keep the roof closed or open,” McNair said. “So, we’ll have the choice to do that. And then we have a couple of events coming up, or we’ll get to study and see, how the building is able to condition.”

NRG Stadium, the home of the Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, was seen with multiple missing panels from its retractable roof.

“Like many of our neighbors in the Gulf Coast region, NRG Park sustained damage from Hurricane Beryl, including to the roof of NRG Stadium,” NRG Park CEO and executive director Ryan M. Walsh said in a statement at the time of the storm. “HCSCC officials are collaborating with state, county, and city officials to assist with recovery efforts throughout the region. This collective undertaking requires all of us to work together with a strong commitment to our community. While we assist with these efforts, we are also assessing the extent of damages to NRG Park facilities. We look forward to seeing our neighbors at NRG Park soon as we return to normal operations.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com