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Texans lose expected rookie starter at center for season with ankle injury

Nick Martin, the overwhelming favorite to be the Houston Texans’ starting center as a rookie, is now done for the 2016 season. He underwent ankle surgery and will be placed on injured reserve.

A second-round pick out of Notre Dame, Martin — the brother of Dallas Cowboys All-Pro guard Zack Martin — had looked the part in the early going before suffering the injury and serious damage to his ankle during a joint practice with the New Orleans Saints two weeks ago. Martin also had been slowed by a back injury, although that was believed to be less serious.

Nick Martin was expected to start as a rookie for the Houston Texans Now he's done for the season. (AP)
Nick Martin was expected to start as a rookie for the Houston Texans Now he’s done for the season. (AP)

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Although he had not played in either preseason game, Martin projected to start. Head coach Bill O’Brien extolled the rookie’s toughness, intelligence and athleticism.

Now the Texans have to shift gears. Greg Mancz, who started in Martin’s place and struggled a bit in the last preseason game, appears to be the favorite to start now.

The Texans might have had a chance to trade for Bryan Stork, but he was dealt already by the New England Patriots to the Washington Redskins on Wednesday for a pittance — a conditional seventh-round pick. Stork surely would have been able to pick up O’Brien’s offense, with clear similarities to what the Patriots currently run.

Will this affect a rebuilt Texans’ offense? The line, missing several pieces this camp and preseason, still must come together — and it will now have to do so without an important piece.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!