The Houston Texans have officially let a mainstay from their roster go.
No, we’re not talking about JJ Watt, who was recently cut, and we’re not talking about Deshaun Watson who has demanded to be traded.
We’re talking about the center and former Notre Dame star Nick Martin, who was cut Friday.
Martin was selected 50th overall by the Texans in the 2016 NFL draft but an ankle injury in training camp that year kept him from seeing any regular-season action.
Martin took over as a starter in 2017 however and proceeded to start 62 of the 64 Texans games over the next four seasons, including all 16 in each of the last three years.
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Martin had signed a $33 million contract extension with the Texans in 2019 that guaranteed him $18.5 million. Being cut clears the Texans of $6.25 million in cap space but leaves them with $2.5 million in dead cap money for 2021.
Martin starred at Notre Dame from 2013-15 as he played both center and guard for the Fighting Irish.