OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 14: Head coach Bill O'Brien of the Houston Texans wacthes his team against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter on September 14, 2014 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Texans won 30-14. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

HOUSTON (CBS HOUSTON) – After a disappointing 2014 campaign marred by injuries the Texans weren’t sure what Louis Nix would bring to the table.

Then head coach Bill O’Brien was critical of Nix this offseason as he talked about his hope his young defensive tackle could just make it through a practice.

The Texans head man is singing a different tune about the second year player now.

When talking about players that had made a physical jump from year one to year two the first name out of O’Brien’s mouth was Nix’s name.

“Louis Nix has come back in good shape,” he said. “He’s running around. He’s able to take all the reps.”

A far cry from the desire to make it through just one practice.

As far as the mentality of Nix O’Brien said he wasn’t going to play psychologist but pointed to Nix’s health leaving him in a better spot than last season.

“He’s really done a good job in our offseason program of making improvements from where he was last year.”

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