Texans rookie center Nick Martin suffered a high ankle sprain during his team’s joint practices with the Saints this week and could miss the season opener vs. the Bears
The Texans drafted Martin in the second round in April in hopes that he would immediately become their starting center, but a back injury forced him out of the preseason opener and this injury makes Greg Mancz the team’s center for now.
Mancz has battled injury himself throughout his pro and college careers but impressed the Texans enough to stick around after signing as an undrafted rookie last season.
Mancz, who played in three games as a rookie, was placed on injured reserve last November with a knee injury but was able to participate in almost all of the team’s offseason program. He started last week’s preseason opener with Martin sidelined.
