Tag: Nico Collins football

Texans ready for return of WR Nico Collins for season’s second half

Nico Collins is back for the first time in five games for the Houston Texans.

The Houston Texans are eight quarters and counting without a touchdown in the second half.

That should change with the return or Nico Collins.

The Texans will have their leading man back on the sidelines for the first time since Week 5 in Monday’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Collins isn’t looking to ease his way back in, either.
There’s reasons to believe that No. 12 will be the No. 1 talking point of the Tuesday morning talk show circuits.

“In order to pick back up, I got to ball out when the ball touches my hands,” Collins said earlier this week. “When the ball is in the air, I have to do something with it.”

It’s a tale of two halves for Houston this season. With Collins in the lineup, the Texans sit at 4-1. With him out, they’re 2-3. They’ve also been outscored 74-39 in the second half since Week 6.

It’s also affected C.J. Stroud’s stat line. Before Collins’ injury, the Texans were sixth in total offense (376.6 yards per game) and fourth in passing. Stroud ranked third in passing yards (1,385), tied for 10th in touchdowns (seven) and 10th in QBR (66.2).

Over the past five games, the Texans rank 24th in total offense (299 yards per game) and 16th in scoring (20 points per contest). Stroud currently ranks 13th in passing (2,371) and 22nd in QBR (54.7).

“I am very excited to have my guy back,” Stroud said. “I am just happy for him to be back with the team, be a part of the locker room again. They are in solitude, when players are injured, they are on their own. So I am glad he is just able to be around the guys again and be able to do the sport that he loves to play.”

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said earlier this week that Stroud needs to “cut it loose” on Monday night. That should be easier with the return of his No. 1 receiver.

Prior to the injury, Collins led the NFL with 567 receiving yards and ranked third in receptions with 32. By missing five games, his 113.4 yards per contest remains among the league’s best.

“Getting Nico back is always very great for all of us,” Ryans said. “Nico’s been one of our best players when he was healthy, so it’s great to have him back, great to have his presence and the energy that he brings and also the playmaking ability that he brings.”

Collins and Stroud’s connection could be the x-factor down the stretch for Houston before the bye week. After traveling to Arlington, the Texans return home for an AFC South showdown against the Tennessee Titans. After that, they hit the road to take on the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars.

With three wins, the Texans would be back at 9-3 in the hunt for a top-three seed in the AFC, but everything starts with a win on Monday.

Everything ends with Collins crossing the goal line for the first time in a month.

“I feel like myself,” Collins said. “I’m feeling good.”

Texans receive best news possible from WR Nico Collins entering Week 11

The Houston Texans have their No. 1 target back for Monday night’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

Nico Collins is back.

It’s for real this time and not a “wait and see” until Monday, either.

The Houston Texans leading receiver told reporters on Friday that he’s “for sure” 100% healthy and ready to play this week against the Dallas Cowboys. That notion was backed up by a healthy injury report, showing that Collins was a full participant.

“Getting Nico back is always very great for all of us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Thursday. “Nico’s been one of our best players when he was healthy, so it’s great to have him back, great to have his presence and the energy that he brings and also the playmaking ability that he brings.”

Collins, who broke out as C.J. Stroud’s top weapon in 2023, missed the last five games with a hamstring injury. While he was activated off the injured reserve last Friday, the Texans elected to hold him out for Sunday’s 25-23 loss against the Detroit Lions.

While back at practice, Collins did say this was the first week he felt like he was cleared to play.

“I feel like myself,” Collins said. “I feel like that’s a great progression. Just stacking days, I feel like I’ve been attacking the rehab. That’s all you can do. That’s what I’ve been doing. I’m feeling great.”

The Texans are adding Collins back at the right time. Currently on a two-game losing streak, Houston needs a win just to re-enter the “contender” conversation among AFC teams.

Collins was the backbone of Houston’s offense. Through the first five weeks, he led the NFL in receiving yards (567) and ranked third in receptions (32).

No one benefitted from his Collins more than Stroud, who ranked third in passing yards (1,385), 10th in touchdowns (seven) and 10th in QBR (66.2) entering Week 6.

In Collins’ absence, Stroud has regressed. In the past five games, the second-year passer has ranked 17th in yards (986), tied for 19th in touchdowns (5) and 25th in QBR (41.3).

“I am just happy for him to be back with the team, be a part of the locker room again,” Stroud said. “They are in solitude, when players are injured, they are on their own. So I am glad he is just able to be around the guys again and be able to do the sport that he loves to play.”

Once Collins went on the injured reserve, two-time All-Pro target Stefon Diggs stepped up as the new No. 1. That lasted for three weeks before he suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 8’s win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Tank Dell and John Metchie III each have served as Stroud’s go-to weapon in losses, but Collins should alleviate the pressure of the duo as the new threat. Stroud mentioned how Collins’ presence opens up plays for both young targets in the passing game/

“They all lead off of him, Nico is that type of player,” Stroud said. “It will be exciting to have him back.”

Houston faces a struggling Dallas defense that ranks 31st in run defense (152.1 yards per game) and 31st in scoring (28.8 points per game).

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.

Texans receive best news possible on WR Nico Collins’ status vs. Lions

Nico Collins is officially off the injured reserve and could be in line to start on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Nico Collins is back.

The Houston Texans officially activated the fourth-year pass-catcher injured reserve to the active roster, the team announced Saturday.  As a result, the Texans have waived former cornerback D’Angelo Ross.

While Collins might be on the active roster, the Texans are listing him as questionable for Sunday’s primetime matchup against the Detroit Lions. Should he pass all the tests during pregame drills, Collins is expected to play as the team debuts their new “Battle Red” jerseys.

Collins, who’s missed the past four games, would be a welcomed addition to the passing game now with Stefon Diggs on the injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL in Week 8.

Before suffering a hamstring injury in Week 5’s win over the Buffalo Bills, Collins led the league with 567 receiving yards. He also ranked third with 32 catches and led the Texans with three touchdowns.

During the first quarter of Week 5’s outing, Collins came up pulling his leg after scoring on a 67-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud. He immediately headed to the locker room and did not return. On Wednesday, the Texans placed on the injured reserve, sidelining him through October.

While the Texans still have problems on the offensive line, adding a second target alongside Tank Dell could upgrade C.J. Stroud’s tempo when facing a potent Lions’ pass rush. Last week against the New York Jets, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year was sacked a career-high eight times.

Dell was the only consistent weapon, totaling six catches for 126 yards. John Metchie III, Cade Stover and Xavier Hutchinson didn’t record a reception on 11 targets.

The Texans are being cautious with Collins’ return. He returned to practice on Friday for the first time in nearly a month, but the final day of the week is more of a walk-through.

Even if Collins were to be active, it’s hard to imagine him as a focal point of the passing game in the same fashion as before the injury. Dell should remain the go-to weapon, but Collins’ impact on the field would take pressure away from the second-year target.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.

Nico Collins injury update is great news for Texans entering Week 10 showdown

Nico Collins could be in line to play on Sunday against the Detroit Lions after returning to practice.

Nico Collins is finally back.

Well, he’s at least practicing for the first time in nearly a month.

The Houston Texans activated the fourth-year pass-catcher off the injured reserve Friday morning prior to pracitce.

They will have 21 days to either activate him to the 53-man roster or place him back on the IR.

Collins plans on playing the remainder of the regular season, including potentially on Sunday when Houston plays host to the Detroit Lions. As C.J. Stroud’s top target, the Texans need him back for the home stretch if they plan on securing a top-three seed in the AFC Playoffs.

While Collins hasn’t practiced the past two days, that doesn’t mean he won’t play at NRG Stadium in Week 10 as Houston debuts its new “Battle Red” jerseys. Twice players have missed practice and returned in time for kickoff.

Defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi missed back-to-back practices with a shoulder injury in Week 7 before returning to take on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Tight end Dalton Schutlz missed two practices because of an ankle injury, yet still managed to suit up in Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears.

Just because Collins is cleared to practice doesn’t mean he’ll play, either. The Texans know their offense funnels through the vertical star who posted career numbers in 2023 as Stroud’s top target.

Any setback could cost them wins in favorable matchups against the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars before the bye week.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Collins was “doing good” leading up to Wednesday’s practice. The tean planned on monitoring him throughout the week before making a final deciscion.

Collins, who led the NFL in receving yards (567) and ranked third in receptions (32) before being injured, will test out the hamstring during Friday’s drills. Houston will have two days to decide if he’s healthy enough to play on Sunday against the NFC favorites in what could be a potential Super Bowl preview.

Even if Collins is out, it’s a significant step in the right direction, something needed for Houston entering the second half of the regular season.

Is Nico Collins expected back for the Texans by Week 10?

Wide receiver Nico Collins could be coming back for the Houston Texans at the right time.

While Stefon Diggs could be out for a while, Nico Collins’ time on the injured reserve is almost up.

According to KPRC 2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, the fourth-year Houston Texans star is trending upward entering Week 9’s matchup against the New York Jets. While he can’t be cleared off the injured reserve until Nov. 4, the expectation is he’ll be good to go when the Detroit Lions arrive in Week 10.

Collins was placed on the injured reserve following Week 5’s win over the Buffalo Bills after tweaking his hamstring in the first quarter. The NFL states that when a player goes on the IR, they are required to miss at least four games.

While the Texans’ offense has survived with Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon as the leading option, the addition of Collins could be coming at the right time.

Diggs, who had taken over as the leading receiver in Collins’ absence, left Sunday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts after suffering a non-contact injury to his knee in the third quarter.

Overall, the passing game has suffered. C.J. Stroud threw for a career-worst 86 yards in a Week 7 loss against the Green Bay Packers. Diggs was the only receiver putting up consistent production, while Tank Dell struggled to impress as the tam’s No. 2 option.

The Texans must see improvements from Dell this week since it seems unlikely that Diggs will be cleared after undergoing an MRI on Monday.

At his peak, Collins could be considered a top-five receiver. He led the NFL by nearly 100 yards (576) at the time of his injury and ranked third in reception with 32. The 6-foot-4 target also had posted four 100-yard receiving outings in five games while averaging six catches per contest.

Entering Week 9, Houston ranks eighth in passing yards per game (232.5) and 10th in passing touchdowns (11).

How do the Texans respond from losing WR Nico Collins?

Nico Collins will miss four games, but does that mean the Texans’ season is over?

The Houston Texans will be without their star receiver Nico Collins for at least four games.

The team also has 12 more games left on the schedule, including several challenging matchups in November.

Collins, who leads the NFL with 567 receiving yards through five games, won’t suit up until at least Nov. 10, when the Texans play host to the Detriot Lions.

The league’s top threat suffered a hamstring injury in the first quarter of Houston’s 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 5 after catching a 67-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud.

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On Monday, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans changed his stance from “day-to-day” to “week-to-week” after further evaluation. Instead of worrying if Collins can return, Houston will set a date on when those conversations can ramp up again.

“Nico has been the best receiver in the NFL this year. So, do you replace him? No, everybody just steps up and whatever role you’re asked to do, just step up and play your role the proper way,” Ryans said. “Nobody has to be Nico. There is one Nico; he’s done a great job of that. Now, whoever is next, when your number is called, make the plays that you are supposed to make.”

Yes, Collins’ loss stings. His 32 catches rank third among receivers. His six 20-plus yards explosive plays also rank first through September.

But the Texans have two things boding in their favor: schedule and personnel.

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From a receiver standpoint, Houston loses the top trio mantra and must embrace the dynamic duo stance with Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell. The Texans also have a reliable tight end in Dalton Schultz and depth with names like Robert Woods and John Metchie III.

Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowl target with the Buffalo Bills, currently ranks seventh in receptions (31) and finished Sunday’s game with 82 yards on six catches. He also took over the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings with nine catches for 92 yards.

Dell’s role will increase after having a quiet start to the season. He missed Week 4’s matchup with a chest injury, but the speedy threat has been kept out of the fast lane, averaging 34 yards per game.

Dell’s yet to surpass 65 yards in a game this season after posting three 100-yard outings as a rookie.

“We don’t lack depth at all,” Diggs said Sunday. “We’ve got a lot of guys that can play at a high level.”

https://twitter.com/Danny_Heifetz/status/1844023596018229596

The schedule should keep Houston humble, but also ahead in the AFC South standings, espeically if running back Joe Mixon can return. The Texans take on three secondaries that rank bottom 10 in coverage, allowing at least 231.1 yards per game through the air.

The New York Jets, who recently fired head coach Robert Saleh, are the only team with a top-10 secondary on Houston’s schedule until the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 24.

No one wants to lose a talent like Collins, but it could be worse for the Texans. It will be if no one steps up, but Stroud has faith that the team will be fine without the NFL’s top receiver for the time being.

And yes, he too thinks that Collins plays second fiddle to no one.

Texans get terrible news on WR Nico Collins’ hamstring injury

The news keeps getting worse for the Houston Texans surrounding Nico Collins’ hamstring injury.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Nico Collins’ All-Pro season has come to a halt.

The Houston Texans are placing the fourth-year receiver on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury, according to the team’s latest transaction list.

Collins will be out at least through Week 9 following the team’s road trip to New York. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport, the hope is Collins will be back sooner rather than later.

During Monday’s press conference, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Collins was “in good spirits” after leaving Sunday’s victory over the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter.

When asked about a timeline, Ryans said the NFL’s leading receiver would be “week to week.”

“Of course, with the hamstring, it takes a couple weeks for hamstrings, so we’ll evaluate that on a week-to-week basis to see when we can get him back,” Ryans said.

Collins suffered the injury on his 67-yard touchdown catch from C.J. Stroud during the first quarter after helping Houston secure a 14-3. He did not return to the game.

The loss of Collins is substantial to Houston’s passing game, even without his record-setting success. Three of Stroud’s seven touchdowns have come to Collins. In Sunday’s win without Collins, Houston managed to score just nine points.

“Nico has been the best receiver in the NFL this year,” Ryans said. “So, do you replace him? No. Everybody just steps up and whatever role you’re asked to do, just step up and play your role the proper way.

“There is one Nico, he’s done a great job of that. Now, whoever is next, when your number is called, make the plays that you are supposed to make.”

The Texans should feel content with their receiving corps, especially with the arrival of Stefon Diggs. He’s stepped up twice against both the Bills and Vikings, leading the Texans in receptions and receiving yards.

Houston also needs second-year receiver Tank Dell to step up in place of Collins. After finishing second in receiving yards for the Texans last year as a rookie, Dell’s been off to a slow start, totaling 13 catches for 137 yards.

“[I] definitely hope Nico is okay and we can get him back as soon as possible, but I definitely know that we have a lot of depth in that room,” Stroud said.

Before leaving Sunday’s game, Collins led the league with  567 yards. He already broke DeAndre Hopkins’ 2018 record for the most receiving yards to begin a season in Texans’ history and was on pace to become the sixth player since 2000 to record 125-plus receiving yards and a touchdown in three consecutive home games.

Collins was also on pace for 2,000 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

As a corresponding move, the Texans signed tight end Teagan Quitoriano to the 53-man roster. Quitoriano was previously on the Bears practice squad after being cut after training camp.

Texans Wire will continue to update you with more information surrounding the plan in Collins’ absence.

Texans receive unfortunate news surrounding WR Nico Collins

Nico Collins might not be good to go this Sunday when the Houston Texans take on the New England Patriots.

After further tests, Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins could be out longer than just a few days leading up to Week 6’s matchup against the New England Patriots.

At his annual Monday press conference, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Collins would be “week to week” after leaving early in Sunday’s 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Ryans said Collins was “in good spirits” after the game, though there isn’t a set timetable given how hamstrings heal.

“He’s attacking his rehab the right way,” Ryans said. “Our staff will help him get back right when that right time is.”

Collins, who leads the NFL with 567 receiving yards, suffered the injury on his 67-yard touchdown catch from C.J. Stroud during the first quarter. He did not return after leaving the blue medical tent for further evaluation.

Stroud managed to throw for 331 yards while completing passes for Cam Akers, Dare Ogunbowale, Dalton Schultz, Tank Dell and new top weapon Stefon Diggs, but the scoring was limited. Houston only totaled nine points after Collins’ departure.

Even at 1-4, Houston can’t afford to overlook the Patriots, especially with it being a road matchup. Ryans said the team feels good about its depth, but losing Collins does come with concerns about the play design.

“Nico has been the best receiver in the NFL this year,” Ryans said. “So, do you replace him? No. Everybody just steps up and whatever role you’re asked to do, just step up and play your role the proper way.”

Dell and Diggs are the favorites to see expanded roles with Collins limited in practice. The latter is coming off a six-catch afternoon for a team-leading 82 yards.

https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1843374483496939811

Dell, who served as Houston’s secondary option in the passing game opposite Collins, caught four balls for 38 yards.

Houston also could expand the roles of Xavier Hutchinson, John Metchie III and veteran Robert Woods, who secured exceptional field position last week on a 13-yard punt return to set up the Ka’imi Fairbairn game-winning field goal.

“Robert has been outstanding for us since the first day he stepped in here. I mean, he’s done everything that we’ve asked,” Ryans said. “Whatever role he’s in, Rob is a true leader in that regard. He shows up and works every single day, doesn’t say much, but he works.

“He’s a team-first player and that’s what everybody should aspire to be like. When you’re playing, especially here for us, you need that team-first mentality.”

Kickoff from Gillette Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.