LONDON (AP) — Call it a false start.
The Houston Texans ' departure for London to face the Jacksonville Jaguars was delayed when the team had to switch planes before embarking on their overnight flight, coach DeMeco Ryans said Friday.
“Whatever can go wrong will go wrong," Ryans joked to start his news conference after practice in north London.
Houston arrived early Friday for their AFC South matchup against the Jaguars (4-1), who played in London last week and remained in town to complete their doubleheader.
The Texans (1-4) were asked for comment on the cause of the delay.
“We had a little issue with our plane, so we had change planes there before we left Houston,” Ryans said. "We got the right plane — everybody is safe and well, so that’s all that matters.
Ryans said that despite the hiccup, players had no issues adjusting.
“I like how our guys have responded to everything,” the coach said.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said the delay worked in their favor.
“We’ve been able to bond and talk and crack jokes and do all the things that teammates do on the road trips, but a little longer,” he said. “But I think it’s great for bonding and I think we’re handling it good, and practice was really good today.”
The Texans held practice at the Harrow School, one of the oldest schools in the U.K. whose most famous alumnus is Winston Churchill. He spent his high school years at Harrow before entering politics and leading Britain through World War II as prime minister.
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