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.”
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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.