Houston Chronicle · Feb 23, 2017
Texans center Nick Martin 'going to be a great player'
Before center Nick Martin was slammed to the ground during a routine blocking drill in a joint training camp practice against the New Orleans Saints and lost for the entire season, he had demonstrated enough promise that he was drawing heavy praise from a man not prone to complimenting rookies: Texans coach Bill O'Brien.
Martin was aggressive, tough, smart and technically sound, and the second-round draft pick from Notre Dame had been plugged in as an immediate starter.
However, the high-ankle sprain would require surgery and Martin didn't play a snap for the AFC South champions as a rookie as Greg Mancz took his place in the starting lineup.
