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.