Tag: Nico Collins injury update

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.”