Charlie Heck appeared in three out of 16 games last season, and a congested offensive line core could cause the second-generation NFL pro to spend the 2021 season watching from the sideline.
The son of Kansas City Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck saw his lone start of the season in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Heck proved to then-starting center Nick Martin that he belonged among the group.
“He popped his finger out,” Martin told reporters on Jan. 4, the day after the 41-38 loss. “He’s mid-game. They couldn’t get it back in. They wanted to go to the locker room, pop it back in and he stayed out here. He goes, ‘no, tape it up. I’m going to fight through it,’ with his finger turned sideways. Stuff like that you’re so proud of.”
As Heck enters his second year with the Texans, here’s what the former North Carolina product should consider in hopes of getting playing time in 2021.