Nick Martin Injury: Updates on Texans Center's Recovery from Ankle Surgery

Houston Texans rookie center Nick Martin is expected to miss the entire 2016 season after undergoing ankle surgery.

Continue for updates.

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Martin Likely Out for Entire 2016 Season

Thursday, Aug. 25

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport was the first to report the news. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle confirmed that the surgery was done to treat a high-ankle sprain.

Houston picked Martin in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft with the No. 50 overall selection out of Notre Dame.

The 23-year-old Indianapolis native was immediately penciled in as a starter after being named a first-team All-Independent selection for three consecutive years with the Fighting Irish.

While losing a potential star at the center position could be a major blow to the Texans in 2016, they boast some solid depth at the position. Tony Bergstrom is the favorite to step into a starting role after starting three games at center for the Oakland Raiders last season, while Dalton Freeman started a game at center for the New York Jets in 2014.

The Texans also still have Greg Mancz on the roster, who was active for three games last season.

While it's unlikely any of the backup options will have the same impact as Martin, Houston has enough quality contingency plans to stay afloat in the winnable AFC South.

Martin is the brother of Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin and still has a bright future as a starting center in the NFL. But building a rapport with new Texans starting quarterback Brock Osweiler will have to wait at least one more season.

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