Brett

Hartmann

Hartmann did well to keep his violation under wraps because it apparently occurred late last season. He will be eligible to play in Week 4, as one of the games for which Hartmann was banned was the Texans’ playoff loss to the Ravens. Hartmann is also recovering from a torn left ACL, suffered in December. The Texans will have to open the season with another punter.

He’ll placed on injured reserve, ending his season. Hartmann suffered the injury in Sunday’s win. An undrafted rookie, Hartmann’s net punting average of 37.8 was 22nd in the league. The Texans will work out potential replacements Tuesday.

Hartmann was down on the ground for several minutes, requiring attention from a three members of the medical staff. He had to be helped off, grimacing in obvious pain and hobbling without much pressure on his leg.

Brad Maynard will be Houston’s punter. Hartmann was an undrafted rookie from Central Michigan, where he was the Chippewas’ punter for three years.

On second thought, the Texans are going young at the position. Hartmann, an undrafted rookie from Central Michigan, boomed seven punts for 299 yards (42.7 average) in the preseason. Maynard was much worse with a 38.5 average and forgettable 34.4 net on 11 tries. And he was 13 years older.