Tag: Maliek Collins

15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023: No. 15 Sheldon Rankins

We’re kicking off our “15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023” series with Sheldon Rankins, a key component of Houston’s defensive turnaround.

The Houston Texans had, by all accounts, an extremely successful 2023 campaign.

They cruised to a 10-7 record under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and captured several accolades along the way. They won the AFC South and won a playoff game for the first time since the 2019 season. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud won PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson won PFWA’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and even Ryans took home hardware with PFWA’s Coach of the Year.

With a revamped team effort that led to dramatic improvements compared to both the 2021 and 2022 Texans, it’s worth examining who created that impact this past season and what their future projects moving forward.

This series will examine the Top 15 most impactful Houston Texans of the 2023 campaign — first up on that list is defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.

AFC Divisional Round picks: Who the experts are taking in Ravens vs. Texans

The NFL experts have made their picks, and the Baltimore Ravens are favored to defeat the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round

We’re a little over 30 hours away from the Ravens (13-4) and Texans (11-7) kicking off the AFC divisional round of the playoffs on ESPN.

Houston advanced to the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs for the fifth time in franchise history with a 45-14 win over the Browns in Super Wild Card Weekend.

The playoff win earned the Texans a rematch against the Ravens, and they’ll return to M&T Bank Stadium hoping to avenge a 25-9 loss in Week 1.

With kickoff fast approaching, here’s the NFL expert picks.

Ravens divisional round preview: 10 things to know about the Houston Texans

We’re looking at ten things to know about the Houston Texans ahead of their AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Baltimore Ravens

The Texans advanced to the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs for the fifth time in franchise history with a 45-14 win over the Browns in Super Wild Card Weekend.

The playoff success earned Houston a rematch against the Baltimore Ravens, and they’ll return to M&T Bank Stadium hoping to avenge a 25-9 loss in Week 1.

The Texans are a different team since that humble welcome to the NFL moment for C.J. Stroud, and all the former Ohio State star has done is shatter records and lead his team to the postseason as a rookie.

With final preparations for Saturday’s kickoff underway, we’re looking at ten things about the Houston Texans.

The Texans are better than you think, and it’s not just about C.J. Stroud

The Houston Texans are better than you think as a team, which means that it’s about more then just C.J. Stroud.

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When the Houston Texans started the 2023 season 0-2 with losses to the Baltimore Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts, it seemed as if Houston’s NFL franchise would be nothing but an interesting footnote with new head coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud. Coming off a 3-13-1 2022 season as they had, the Texans went all-out in the draft, taking Ohio State’s Stroud with the second overall pick, and trading up to select Alabama pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr. with the third overall pick. Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio also made some interesting free-agency moves, and took Houston speed receiver Nathaniel “Tank” Dell, but in those first two games, the Texans still looked worlds away from competitive status.

What a difference a couple of months can make. The Texans have won five of their last seven games since that 0-2 start, Ryans and his staff seem to have multiplied and maximized the efforts of just about every player on the roster, and Stroud has graduated from a college quarterback with some question marks about his NFL potential to one of the best quarterbacks in the league, regardless of tenure.

Stroud is the force multiplier for the Texans in conjunction with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, but is this team good enough to get to the playoffs and make noise there? Houston has had one of the league’s tougher schedules this season, and they close out the 2023 regular season with games against the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, NEw York Jets, Tennessee Titans, and the Colts. So, it’s a legitimate question, and when you look at the Texans’ entire squad, there’s more than just Stroud to talk about. In truth, the Texans are performing over their projections at just about every position, and they’re doing so with a lot of players you may not even know. 

“For us and our team and where we are, we’re still just grinding one week at a time,” Ryans said Monday, one day after his team beat the Cincinnati Bengals in a 30-27 last-second thriller. “Really focused on us and focused on getting better. From our game yesterday, I really loved the fact that everyone contributed to the win. I think that’s the most impressive thing to me about that game. True team win. Everybody stepping up, everybody made a play. If you were up in that game, you made a play, and that’s the cool part about our team is that it doesn’t matter who is out there, we expect everyone to do their best, play to the best of their ability, play fast, play physical, and that’s what you saw from our entire team yesterday.”

More and more, it’s what we’re seeing from the Texans week in and week out as things come together for them.

So, it’s time to focus on the feature question: Who are these guys, anyway, and why are they winning all of a sudden?

It’s about more than the quarterback.

Report: Texans sign DT Maliek Collins to 2-year extension

The Houston Texans have signed defensive tackle Maliek Collins to a two-year extension worth $23 million.

The Houston Texans like what they have seen from Maliek Collins.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Texans have signed Collins to a two-year extension worth $23 million with a $10.5 million signing bonus.

Collins originally signed with the Texans during free agency 2021 to serve as the three-technique defensive tackle in then-defensive coordinator Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 scheme. The former Dallas Cowboys 2016 third-round pick generated 29 combined tackles, nine tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, an interception, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery through 15 starts.

The former Nebraska product followed up with another 15 starts, collecting 37 combined tackles, nine tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, 3.5 sacks, and two pass breakups.

What new coach DeMeco Ryans appreciates about Collins, along with free agent defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, is their work ethic.

“They work every day,” Ryans told reporters June 13 after the first day of mandatory minicamp. “They’re consistent, right? They’re accountable to their teammates. That’s who I want around, guys we can count on, guys we know what they bring to the party.”

An extension demonstrates the Texans have plans for Collins in Ryans’ attacking defensive front.

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Texans coach Lovie Smith hopes healthy defense can contain Titans RB Derrick Henry

Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith is hopeful that a healthier defense will allow them to contain Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry.

Derrick Henry had his way with the Houston Texans on Oct. 30.

The three-time Pro Bowl running back churned 219 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries as the Tennessee Titans strangled the Texans 17-10 at NRG Stadium.

Coach Lovie Smith believes the Texans should be able to contain Henry in the Dec. 24 rematch for one simple reason.

“We’re healthier,” Smith said. “Did we have all our guys the first time around? No is the answer. Maliek Collins didn’t play. So, we had a few things like that.”

No matter who plays — even J.J. Watt — Henry has his way with the Texans defense. In his last four games against the Texans, Henry has posted at least 200 yards rushing. The former 2019 and 2020 NFL rushing champion missed the two games against the Texans last year, and it can be argued that may be why Houston was able to pull off the upset at Nissan Stadium and hang close in the season finale at NRG Stadium.

However, Smith isn’t simply hoping that the availability of injured players will be the factor; the rookies and younger defenders who have been given opportunities throughout the season have to step up.

“Christian Harris is older,” said Smith. “Some of the younger players that were playing then, they’ve played a lot more football. We feel like we’ll be healthier starting with that.”

Former Texans running back Dontrell Hilliard was also able to have his way with Houston’s defense as he carried eight times for 83 yards, 51 of which he gained on two carries on Tennessee’s first drive of the third quarter.

“We didn’t play our best ball last time, and we’re playing better football right now,” Smith said.

The last time the Texans held an opponent under 100 rushing yards was Week 12 against the Miami Dolphins when they had 66.

Texans DT Maliek Collins attributes better health to increased productivity

Houston Texans defensive tackle Maliek Collins says that having better health has been the impetus for his increase in production.

Maliek Collins has been on a tear.

The Houston Texans’ defensive tackle has tallied 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits in the past five games. Against his original draft team, the Dallas Cowboys, Collins generated four tackles and a tackle for loss.

The former 2016 third-round pick says that staying on the sidelines with injuries helped him see the game from another vantage.

“Being out for a couple of games, I got to see it from a different perspective,” Collins told reporters Dec. 13. “As far as how I can impact, like the different things I can do as far as penetrating and getting off the ball, I feel like I’ve found my niche a little bit in ways I can help in the run game.”

Collins was on the injury report with a chest injury starting in Week 2, and he missed Weeks 8-9. Having the time away also allowed him to recovery from the nicks and dings that can hamper players.

“Early in the season, I didn’t feel like I was really healthy,” said Collins. “I kind of got banged up in the first game, and it kind of lingered for a few weeks until the [Las Vegas] Raiders game (Week 7) when I got hurt.”

Collins used the time away to do more film study.

Said Collins: “Just assessing and knowing which plays are coming. Knowing, ‘They’re only going to run this play or that type of play, and that’s my play to make.’ I’ve got to make those. It’s that type of mentality for us.”

The Texans will be challenged in Week 15 as they take on the Kansas City Chiefs, who are first in the NFL in total offense. Kickoff is at 12:00 p.m. Central Time from NRG Stadium.

DT Maliek Collins says Texans must continue to rush against Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

Houston Texans defensive tackle Maliek Collins says the pass rush must continue to bring it against Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Patrick Mahomes presents unique challenges to defenses.

If defenses choose to flush him out of the pocket, Mahomes has the legs to extend plays and find bigger options downfield, or he has the mobility to pick up the first down.

If defenses elect to keep him in the pocket, the former Super Bowl MVP can drop back deeper and have the arm strength to complete passes.

Houston Texans defensive tackle Maliek Collins knows the pass rush will have to be relentless against Mahomes in Week 15.

“It’s always a challenge,” Collins told reporters Tuesday. “You’ve just got to be willing to rush and stay in your rush. He’s a guy that extends a lot of plays, so you want to try and keep him in the pocket. But he’s also got a big arm, so, the pocket might stretch 10 yards deep or however far no matter where he’s at.”

Collins saw Mahomes once when he was with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. The Chiefs beat the Raiders 35-31 in Week 11 at a virtually empty Allegiant Stadium as Collins recorded no statistics among his 54 snaps. Mahomes went 34-of-45 for 348 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception while not being sacked once.

“You’ve just got to continue to rush,” said Collins. “You’ve got to have a high motor and just lay it all out there.”

The Texans sacked Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott once and forced a fumble in the 27-23 loss at AT&T Stadium in Arlington in Week 14. The Cowboys have the fewest sacks surrendered with 16. If the Texans were able to generate a sack against Dallas, they ought to be able to find ways to pressure Mahomes at NRG Stadium.

Texans defensive lineman Maliek Collins primed for big performance against former team in Week 14

Maliek Collins is sure to be among the #Texans’ most impactful defenders against his former team, the Dallas #Cowboys, in Week 14

Defensive lineman Maliek Collins put the league on notice with a standout performance in the Houston Texans’ Week 12 loss to the Miami Dolphins and is primed for another big game against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, on Sunday.

His explosiveness off the line is evident on film, and with the strength to be a people-mover up front, Collins has proven to be a premium pass rusher for the Texans this season. The Cowboys’ offensive line is a force to be reckoned with and paired with quarterback Dak Prescott they present a major obstacle to the Texans’ hopes of securing their second win of the season in this Week 14 matchup.

Collins will need to get involved early and often against Dallas to have any chance of making an impact on this game. He has shown an ability to wreck opposing game plans in the past and needs to build on that reputation if he intends to prove he has taken a step forward since 2019 when he last played for the Cowboys.

The 27-year-old lineman has played some exceptionally solid football for the Texans this season and is among their most feared and productive defenders. He could solidify his spot as a rising star for the team with a multi-sack performance like the one he turned out against the Miami Dolphins in November, and help Houston get back on track with a win against their intrastate rival in Week 14.

With help from the secondary behind him and the Texans’ linebacker corps, it wouldn’t be out of the question for Collins to put together a statement game that further establishes him as one of the best pass rushers not only in the state of Texas but in the whole NFL. Watch for his contributions to stand out against Dallas in this matchup.

Texans vs. Cowboys Wednesday injury report: K Kai’mi Fairbairn limited

The Houston Texans released their first injury report for Week 14 and kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn was limited with a groin injury.

The Houston Texans released their first injury report of Week 14 as they prepare to play the Dallas Cowboys at 12:00 p.m. Central Time Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

The Texans listed kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn as limited in Wednesday’s practice with a groin injury.

Linebacker Garret Wallow was a full participant as he was listed with an ankle injury.

Defensive end Mario Addison (knee), defensive tackle Maliek Collins (rest – not injury related), receiver Brandin Cooks (calf), receiver Nico Collins (foot), fullback Troy Hairston (chest), defensive tackle Kurt Hinish (shoulder), defensive end Jerry Hughes (rest – not injury related), and cornerback Derek Stingley (hamstring/illness) were listed as non-participants in practice.