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Texans might play rest of season with roof open

Reliant Stadium was damaged by Hurricane Ike; next home game Oct. 5

DEBRISAFP/Getty Images
Damage caused by Hurricane Ike to the roof of Reliant Stadium, home of the NFL's Houston Texans, is shown in this aerial view Sept. 13.

Despite the damage caused by Hurricane Ike to Reliant Stadium, the Houston Texans are going ahead with plans to host the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 5.

According to the Houston Chronicle, however, the Texans might have to play the rest of the season with the roof open.

The stadium and its retractable roof are sound structurally and mechanically, according to the Chronicle, but five Teflon-coated fiberglass roof panels more than 350 feet each were dislodged and will have to be repaired. Four of the five damaged roof panels are located above the playing surface.

"I'm delighted to know there's no structural damage and that it appears we're going to be able to play Oct. 5 against the Colts," Texans owner Bob McNair said told the Chronicle. "I'm satisfied with being able to play [at Reliant Stadium] as an open-air facility for the rest of the season. That's fine with me."

© 2011 NBC Sports.com

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