Former Notre Dame NT Louis Nix III Falling Out of Favor in Houston?

When the Houston Texans  were able to get Notre Dame defensive lineman Louis Nix III in the third round of the draft last year the pick had steal of the draft written all over it. Many had Nix rated as a first round pick so to be able to snatch him up in the third had the makings of becoming a steal.

Thanks to an injury he has yet to play a down for the Texans, and now that Houston has signed Vince Wilfork he is going to have to fight for playing time. From some recent comments head coach Bill O'Brien made it doesn't sound like he has a lot of confidence in Nix doing what it takes.

via Bleacher Report

While in Arizona for the NFL Owners Meeting O'Brien was asked about Nix and how his rehab was going. His answer? Not good for Nix.

"I have not seen Louis Nix," O'Brien said, per ESPN. "I don't know. He's working out somewhere in Florida I guess. Haven't seen him."

To be fair, players do not need to live in the city they play in or spend anytime there during the off-season. O'Brien understands that and perhaps realizing how the media could twist his first comment he added this:

"That's their [players] prerogative, so don't read anything into that. When they show back up here for the offseason program, especially the younger players, the younger players need to be ready to roll. So hopefully he's ready to go."

O'Brien also added that he wants to see Nix be able to make it through practice. Fair enough.

When he was drafted the team was likely hoping he could stuff the middle of the line while J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney destroyed the edges. Since the team signed Vince Wilfork an argument could easily be made that they have lost confidence in whether Nix will be able to. It is more likely that the team does not want to have to push Nix too much too soon. 

It will not hurt to have Nix learn from one of the best in the game either.

[CBSSports]

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