Houston Texans plan to host New Orleans Saints for joint practices

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HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans plan to host the New Orleans Saints for two days of practices this August, sources confirmed. The Saints visit the Texans for a preseason game on Aug. 20 -- the teams' second preseason game. In the week prior, the teams will have joint practices for two days.

That likely won't be the only set of joint practices for either team this year.

The Saints also are expected to explore practicing jointly with the New England Patriots, according to ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett. The Saints open their preseason in New England on Aug. 11. The Saints and Patriots practiced together during last year's preseason.

The Texans plan to practice against the 49ers in northern California before their preseason opener on Sunday, Aug. 14. San Francisco coach Chip Kelly announced that arrangement, as well as a plan for the 49ers to practice with the Denver Broncos in August.

Houston and New Orleans have tried this before.

Last season the teams reached an agreement to have joint practices, but that agreement was canceled after the Texans were selected for HBO's "Hard Knocks." Instead, the Texans traveled to Richmond, Virginia, to practice jointly with Washington. It was a rare instance where a joint practice didn't precede the teams playing a preseason game against each other.

Texans coach Bill O'Brien enjoys joint sessions. During O'Brien's first season, the Texans practiced jointly in Denver and hosted the Atlanta Falcons for joint practices. Both sets of practices came just before games against those teams.

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