Texans cancel first day of OTAs because of severe flooding

HOUSTON -- The Texans canceled their first day of organized team activities because of severe flooding in Houston that has submerged many roads and highways.

Tuesday's was scheduled to be the first of 10 OTA sessions to begin Phase 3 of the Texans' offseason program, as prescribed by the league's collective bargaining agreement. Phase 3 lasts four weeks and the Texans may reschedule the canceled session provided it falls within the designated four-week period, according to an NFL spokesman.

According to the National Weather Service, nearly six inches of rain has fallen in Houston in the past 12 hours and the city was under a flash flood watch until early Tuesday morning. Because of the extreme weather,Rockets center Dwight Howard and hundreds of fans didn't leave the Toyota Center for several hours early Tuesday morning following Houston's Game 4 win over the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference finals.

Phase 3 is the first of the league's offseason phases to allow team drills and all coaches on the field, while prohibiting live contact and one-on-one position drills.

The team expects to begin OTAs on Wednesday.