Tag: Nico Collins Texans

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 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 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.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1844023130664452375

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.

https://twitter.com/espn/status/1844025175722865059

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 WR Nico Collins just getting started on record-setting season

Nico Collins could be in for the best season for a receiver in Houston Texans’ history.

Nico Collins is getting warmed up.

Three 100-yard games into the season are simply the new baseline and standard set for the fourth-year Houston Texans receiver as September ends.

“My standard is continuing to be me, continue to submerge in the deep end, block out distractions, continue to be myself, continue to find the things I need to work on, which is everything,” Collins said Sunday following a 24-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. “I feel like there’s always room for improvement on your game. My mindset, man, don’t get too comfortable.”

While Collins might not let himself get cozy, he’s at home as C.J. Stroud’s go-to target entering 2024. It’s been that way since Week 1’s win over the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.

It stayed that way Sunday as Houston improved to 2-0 in the divisional standing with a comeback win over a winless Jacksonville squad. Stroud completed  27 pass attempts for a season-high 345 yards and two touchdowns.

Twelve of those passes went to Collins for 151 yards and a 3-yard touchdown. Perhaps the more underlying fact is there were zero drops or turnovers.

“He always gives me confidence, just like I give him,” Stroud said of Collins. “He’s just a heck of a player. I’m super proud of him.”

With Collins’ dominance, history has been made in Houston. His 489 receiving mark is the most for a Texans’ receiver through the first four games of the regular season, surpassing DeAndre Hopkins’ 443 in 2018.

That year, Hopkins finished with 1,572 yards off 115 catches. Collins is on pace for 122 catches, 2,078 yards and 11 touchdowns as the Buffalo Bills arrive this Sunday.

“Nico is deserving of all the praise and all the credit that he’s getting,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s one of the top receivers in the league, and he’s showing it. He doesn’t have to talk about it. He’s just showing it by what he does on a game-to-game basis.

“He should be All-Pro, Pro Bowl, all those accolades should come to Nico because he’s shown it every single week.”

The Texans envisioned Collins being a constant target when they traded back into the third round to draft him out of Michigan in 2021. Given the state of the franchise, his first two years were decent, though he struggled to remain consistent due to health.

A new spark arrived in 2023. That was Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance and Heisman-worthy season at Ohio State. Stroud said by the end of his first OTAs, he knew Collins was a superstar.

“I feel like ever since then, he’s had a swagger and a confidence starting from last year, and it’s just rolling now,” Stroud said. “He’s been big for us.”

Stroud’s right. Last season while helping Houston end a four-year playoff drought, Collins posted career-highs in receptions (80), receiving yards (1,297) and touchdowns (8).

He was rewarded a new three-year, $72.75 million contract extension in the offseason and has lived up to billing through four weeks. During the Texans’ game-winning drive, he caught two passes for 33 yards, including a 26-yard reception to set up Houston and Jacksonville’s 27-yard line.

Stroud and Collins averaged 12.6 yards a completion. They’re averaging 16.3 for the year.

Everyone knows what’s Stroud’s ceiling. Collins’ potential still might remain a mystery, but he’s getting his chance to figure out how high the stock can rise.

“Nico’s been great since he was born,” Stroud said. “He just needed an opportunity.”

Jaguars vs. Texans, Week 4 injury report: Thursday

Here’s who missed practice Thursday’s practice for the Houston Texans.

Add a few more names to the Houston Texans’ injury report entering Friday’s final walkthrough.

Starting safety Jimmie Ward also did not practice on Thursday after being limited with a groin injury on Wednesday. Wide receiver Nico Collins was a limited participant with a hamstring injury, though he was at practice during the open media availability.

Wide receiver Tank Dell missed his second consecutive practice after suffering a chest injury in Week 3’s loss against the Minnesota Vikings. Running backs Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) also did not partake in drills.

https://twitter.com/TexansPR/status/1839405955664244746

All five players are now questionable to play in Sunday’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Losing Mixon and Pierce for another week is one thing. Being without Dell and Collins changes the entirety of the offense around C.J. Stroud. Entering Week 4, Collins leads the NFL in receiving yards (338) and ranks eighth in yards per catch (18.8).

Dell started off slow over the first two games entering his second season, totaling just four receptions for 34 yards. Sunday seemed to be a turning point after hauling in a season-best five passes for 62 yards prior to leaving in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1839409609515454689

There was some progress on the injury report. Defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi returned to practice after missing Wednesday with a shoulder injury. Tight end Dalton Schultz (ankle) and offensive lineman Kenyon Green (illness) were all full-time participants.

Texans walk away winners in Nico Collins deal following Brandon Aiyuk extension

Nico Collins might be the best bang for buck on the market among top receivers as the Houston Texans prepare for the 2024 season.

CeeDee Lamb was the talk of the NFL’s receiver market for all of five minutes before Brandon Aiyuk had to crash the party.

Aiyuk, the San Francisco 49ers star receiver who led fans and media down a wild, rickety goose choose with no end in sight throughout the entire offseason, finally agreed to a long-term deal with the team that drafted him four years ago.

The Pro Bowl pass-catcher signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension that will keep him in San Francisco through the 2028 season. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it’s the same deal that has been on the table from the 49ers since Aug. 12, the day Ayiuk made it clear he was playing elsewhere.

Not to take away from Ayiuk’s payday, but Lamb held Cowboys’ fans in his clutches after not reporting to training camp in Oxnard earlier this month.

A holdout ensued until Jerry Jones finally waved the white flag and granted him a new four-year, $136 million deal that includes a $38 million signing bonus, the largest ever given to a wide receiver, and $100 million guaranteed.

Holdouts. Hostage situations. Trade offers on the table were only a myth by the time pen touched paper.

What a nightmare in Arlington and Santa Clara for two hopeful contending NFC franchises.

For the Houston Texans, a rising AFC organization built to win a conference title in 2024, their star receiver just walked into the building and agreed to his deal with zero complaints.

Amid countless pass-catchers getting paid, Nico Collins agreed to terms on a new three-year, $72.5 million deal that’ll keep him in Houston through 2027. Perhaps he’ll follow the same path as Andre Johnson and spend over a decade as the consistent No. 1 target at NRG Stadium while totaling back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns.

Much like Ayiuk and Lamb, Collins put together a season to remember while helping his quarterback post record-setting numbers en route to a postseason berth. As C.J. Stroud’s go-to target, the third-year 6-foot-4 target totaled a career-high 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and 8 touchdowns.

He joins an elite company as just the third player in franchise history to post 1,200 receiving yards in a single season. Johnson, who just was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is one. Future Canton-bound target DeAndre Hopkins is another.

While Ayiuk and Lamb have constantly produced, no one knows what the future holds. The duo could once again thrive while serving as security blankets for Brock Purdy and Dak Prescott, respectively, while still producing in heavy-targeted offense.

They could also crash and burn while earning over $38 million annually.
Collins, who’ll earn $24 million annually, looks like a bargain buy regardless of his future outlook. As asking prices climb for targets, so does the annual salary.

With Collins locked up for four more years, his annual price will only shrink in time. And by the time he’s up for a new deal, perhaps he’s reached the perennial All-Pro status as those now swimming in sums of cash.

Even if Collins never duplicates his 2023 success, his annual salary will be manageable compared to others. The rest of the league is on notice of the ever-changing resetting market for pass-catchers in an expanded salary cap era.

The 49ers have to see Ayiuk reach similar numbers to his 2023 production justify the contract.

The Cowboys must see Lamb be a 1,500-yard playmaker to warrant his deal.

The Texans need Collins to remain on the field.

Given the trajectory of contracts, Houston might have hauled in the best contract of the offseason surrounding a blend of talent and cost.