Tag: Nico Collins injury update

Texans Nico Collins returns to All-Pro form with TD catch vs. Dolphins

Nico Collins is looking like Pro Bowl Nico Collins once more for the Houston Texans offense.

Nico Collins has a knack for finding his way into the end zone whenever the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium.

Right on cue, No. 12 has six points attached to his name.

The Texans took a 10-3 lead with 6:51 remaining in the first half when quarterback C.J. Stroud connected with Collins on a third-and-6. Stroud stepped up into a clean pocket and waited for his chance to strike.

Once Collins won his one-on-one, it was over for Miami’s secondary.

The play was set up thanks to a Will Anderson Jr. strip-sack against Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Tim Settle scooped up the ball and ran it back to put Houston at the Miami 28.

Fans at NRG Stadium exhaled a sigh of relief when Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon returned after he was brought down by a hip-drop tackle on the previous drive.

Collins, who missed five games with a hamstring injury, is on his way back to a Pro Bowl-caliber season. He’s already caught four passes for 11 yards and a score.

The Texans’ offense will look to explode in the second half when they receive. With a win today, Houston would need an Indianapolis Colts’ against the Denver Broncos to secure the AFC South division title.

Texans vs. Jaguars injury report: Latest updates, news for Thursday

Here’s the injury report from Thursday’s practice as the Houston Texans prepare to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Here are the full injury reports from Thursday’s practice for the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of their Week 13 matchup at EverBank Stadium:

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)

Did not practice

  • LB Yasir Abdullah (hamstring)

Limited participation 

  • CB Tyson Campbell (shoulder)
  • QB Trevor Lawrence (non-throwing shoulder)

Full practice

  • RB Tank Bigsby (ankle)
  • OL Brandon Scherff (knee/shoulder)

Houston Texans (7-5)

Did not practice

  • DT Folorunso Fatukasi (foot)
  • DB Jalen Pitre (shoulder)

Limited participation 

  • LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee)
  • DE Will Anderson Jr. (ankle)
  • DE Denico Autry (knee/oblique)
  • WR Xavier Hutchinson (shoulder)

Full practice

  • OT Blake Fisher (concussion)
  • DB Jimmie Ward (knee)

* Bold indicates an upgrade from Wednesday’s practice.

Note: TE Teagan Quitoriano was moved from the injury report to the injured reserve on Thursday morning. 

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Will Texans WR Nico Collins see more reps vs. Titans?

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins saw a career-low in snaps during Monday’s win over the Dallas Cowboys.

The Houston Texans defeated the Dallas Cowboys to prove who was the top team in Texas for 2024.

That wasn’t a surprise since fans rushed to the exits faster than Cooper Rush went through his progressions.

Fans were taken aback by the limited reps for No. 1 target Nico Collins. After missing five games on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury, many figured the fourth-year pro would be the focal point of the passing attack in Arlington.

Far from it, actually. Collins, who caught four passes for 54 yards, saw action in only 28 of Houston’s 60 offensive snaps, marking a career-low since 2021.

Was Collins on a snap count? According to Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, no, but Houston didn’t want to risk a setback that could derail the season goals further.

“Anytime you get a player like that back you are taking notes of how do we want to use him and how do we want to make sure we are being smart,” Slowik said Thursday. “If this game becomes a critical game at the end, we want him on the field so how do we make sure we are getting the best version of Nico when that happens?”

Houston, which secured a 34-10 win at AT&T Stadium, was content trusting its ground game. Joe Mixon scored three touchdowns and averaged 5.5 yards per run en route to finishing with 153 yards of offense.

C.J. Stroud wasn’t perfect, but he found a groove on crucial drives. The second-year passer finished 23-of-34 passing for 257 yards and an interception on a pass intended for Collins during the first quarter.

Houston (7-4) needs Collins for the offensive approach to remain at its peak. Throughout the first five weeks, Stroud and Collins were on a different level of consistency. Since his departure, there’s been evident regression in the passing game, tempo and consistency from the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year.

That should change as Collins continues to get back to full strength. The Texans play host to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday and star cornerback L’Jarius Sneed has already been ruled out.

That should benefit Collins in man coverage, right? Perhaps, but Slowik mentioned that the Texans aren’t changing their approach on rep count until Collins is in direct swing.

“We are always going to approach it as we are going to try to be smart,” Slowik said. “The more often you can get a really good player on the field one hundred percent and not winded and being able to roll, we are going to do that as often as we can.”

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

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 offense should turn corner with return of WR Nico Collins

The Texans are expecting to see wide receiver Nico Collins practice this week in preparation for their Lone Star showdown against the Cowboys.

Nico Collins should be ready on Monday night when the Houston Texans travel to Arlington to take on the Dallas Cowboys.

That’s perhaps the best news fans of the AFC South franchise could get after suffering a 26-23 loss in Week 10 against the Detroit Lions. Collins was cleared to return after being elevated off the injury report, but the Texans chose to leave him inactive.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said everything is fine with Collins’ progression and that the move was made at the final hour.

“No setback with Nico,” Ryans said Tuesday. “It was just a game-time decision.

Sitting at 6-4, the Texans need Collins. John Metchie III and Tank Dell have stepped up as the new top weapon in place of the injured Stefon Diggs over the past two games, but they are better served as secondary options.

Collins is a legitimate top threat in the pros. He’s coming off a nearly 1,300-yard season in 2023 while forming a bond with the rising Stroud.

Before suffering a hamstring strain that sidelined him for five games, the 6-foot-4 Collins was on pace for a record-setting season in franchise history. His 567 receiving yards led the NFL by a deep margin. He also ranked third nationally in catches with 32.

The Texans are expecting Collins not only back, but at full speed during practice this week. He was designated to return from injured reserve Friday and practiced for the first time in over a month, but the walk-through wasn’t enough to show Houston’s medical staff to clear him.

Ryans said Collins’ comeback isn’t just welcomed, but it’s impactful. The Texans are 2-3 without the 25-year-old in the lineup. Stroud’s passing numbers have also taken a hit, dropping from a 69% completion rate to 55% over the past five games.

“Before he was out, he was the top receiver in the league,” Ryans said. “I think any time you get him back, it’s going to help everybody.”

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

Will Nico Collins play this week? Latest injury updates for Texans WR

Nico Collins is dealing with a hamstring injury entering Monday’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

As the Houston Texans prepare for their Monday night showdown with the Dallas Cowboys, they could be getting back a healthy target in the passing game.

Despite being activated off the injured reserve, wide receiver Nico Collins was ruled out for Week 10’s 26-23 loss against the Detroit Lions. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans gave an update Tuesday on Collins’ status heading into Week 11.

That’s the only question Texans fans alike will want answered ahead of their primetime clash at AT&T Stadium.

Nico Collins injury update

Collins, who missed the past four games with a hamstring injury, was officially designated to return on Friday. That opened a 21-day window during which Collins could practice with the Texans without taking up space on the team’s 53-man roster.

On Saturday, the Texans activated him to the 53-man roster but still listed him as questionable for Sunday’s game.  On Sunday, the Texans listed him as inactive, which factored into a three-point loss at home.

On Tuesday, Ryans said Collins would be a participant in practice.

“I anticipate him practicing,” Ryans said.

When will Nico Collins return?

Barring a setback, Collins should be cleared for Monday’s Lone Star showdown at AT&T Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys. Houston’s being patient with its No. 1 receiver, knowing its next three contests will bode in its favor of winning.

After facing off against the Cowboys, the Texans have back-to-back divisional games against the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Any time you get a starting receiver back and Nico, a guy who’s been – before he was out, he was the top receiver in the league,” Ryans said. “So, I think any time you get him back, it’s going to help everybody.”

Nico Collins stats

Collins, who last played in Week 5’s win over the Buffalo Bills, caught a 67-yard touchdown pass from Stroud in the first quarter before leaving for the remainder of the evening. He entered Week 5 as the NFL leader in receiving yards with 567. Collins also ranked third in catches with 32 and led the Texans with three receiving touchdowns.

Texans WR depth chart

Two-time All-Pro Stefon Diggs is on the season-ending injured reserve, but here’s a look at the Texans receiving depth chart entering Week 11 now with Collins back. 

  • Nico Collins
  • Tank Dell
  • Robert Woods
  • John Metchie III
  • Xavier Hutchinson
  • Steven Sims

Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik praised Dell’s performance after taking over as the leading receiver last Thursday.

Since Diggs’ departure, Dell has collected 10 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown on 13 targets.

“He took advantage of some matchups, and some plays worked out where we had given him plenty of opportunities in the last three or four weeks,” Slowik said. “Sometimes, you can’t control the coverage.” 

Metchie, a former second-round pick, could be in line for another breakout game after serving as Stroud’s top target in Sunday’s loss. He caught five passes for 74 yards and scored his first touchdown on a 1-yard pass with 12 seconds remaining in the first half.

“I’m just really proud of just his improvement and him taking the coaching, taking the practice to the field on Sunday,” Ryans said.

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

Nico Collins injury update: Will Texans WR play in Week 10 ‘SNF’ showdown vs. Lions?

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins was recently designated to return to practice after spending four weeks on the injured reserve.

The Houston Texans are getting healthy at the right time.

While the AFC South favorites will be without All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs for the remainder of the season, they are getting back defensive back Jimmie Ward and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.

Houston also could be adding its top weapon in Nico Collins for Sunday’s matchup against the Detroit Lions on NBC at NRG Stadium. The fourth-year target was designated to return after missing the previous four games with a hamstring injury.

Will  Collins be cleared to return to action, or will the Texans hold him out until he is as close to 100% as possible? Here’s what to know about the No. 1 receiver’s injury and status for Week 10.

Nico Collins injury update

Collins, who was leading the NFL in receiving yards with 567, left during the first quarter of Week 5’s win over the Buffalo Bills. After scoring on a 67-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud, Collins hobbled over to the sideline and began grabbing the back of his leg.

He was placed on the IR for a minimum of four games the following Tuesday. Houston went 2-2 during its stretch without him, but improved to 3-0 in the division with a Week 8 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

According to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson, Collins has passed all tests related to his hamstring with “no setbacks.” He was activated off the IR Friday and did practice in a limited capacity.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the team would monitor Collins throughout the week, though he appeared to be “feeling good” after the initial diagnosis.

“Nico, he’s doing good,” Ryans said after practice Wednesday. “We’ll see where he ends up.”

Right now, it’s still unclear if the 25-year-old will play. He’s trending upward and would be a welcomed addition to an underwhelming passing game, but the decision will be up to the medical staff.

The Texans have 21 days to return Collins to the active roster after designating him to return from IR on Friday. For Sunday’s game, Houston must decide by the 3 p.m. deadline if it plans on activating him to the 53-man roster.

Will Nico Collins play Week 10 vs. Lions?

Collins might have practiced on Friday, but it’s more of a walkthrough than actual practice. Since he didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday, it’s to assume his status is questionable until further notice.

If the Texans aren’t comfortable with bringing him back in Week 10, a return could be in play for the team’s Week 11 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. By all indications, Collins is closer to returning than he is to missing two consecutive games.

Texans WR depth chart

With Collins still sidelined and Diggs on the season-ending injured reserve, here’s a look at the Texans receiving depth chart entering Week 10.

  • Tank Dell
  • Robert Woods
  • John Metchie III
  • Xavier Hutchinson
  • Steven Sims

Woods stepped up as the No. 2 option last week with two catches for 42 yards at MetLife Stadium. Metchie and Hutchinson combined for zero catches for seven targets.

Dell could be in line for another breakout game after hauling in six passes for 126 yards last Thursday. He’s off pace of duplicating his numbers from last year, but a strong outing Sunday evening could have him back in the running for a sophomore surge.

“I thought every week he has been open, we just have to find time to get it to him and I have to throw the right ball to get it to him,” Stroud said. “He is going to continue to do great.”