Tag: Nico Collins vs. Lions

Texans WR Nico Collins can’t believe the NFL fined him for celebrating with a fan

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins was being a good man and the NFL penalized him for it.

Nico Collins is a fan favorite and is always looking to give back to the young Houston Texans‘ fans.

So you can imagine his frustration when the NFL fined him around $5,000 after celebrating with a young fan following his first touchdown reception since Week 5’s win over the Buffalo Bills.

Collins, Houston’s leading receiver, found his way into the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown pass during the second quarter to give the Texans a 20-17 lead in Week 12 against the Tennessee Titans. 

The Pro Bowl-caliber target tossed the ball toward a young kid in the crowd before leaping onto the wall to celebrate with them. After spotting the kid looking extra excited, Collins said he wanted to make his day.

“He was screaming,” Collins said.  “So, I was thinking ‘Here you go big dog. Here’s the ball.’ ”

The NFL wasn’t a fan of the memory created by Collins and slapped him with a fine Thursday afternoon. Collins said he was confused about why the league would fine him for a positive celebration.

“I guess they think you’re going to poke somebody in the eye or something,” Collins said.

Another point was this wasn’t Collins’ first time he’d thrown a ball into the stands, but it was the first time he was fined. He plans to appeal the fine and hopes it will be expunged.

Even if it sticks on his record, Collins said seeing the young fans’ gratitude was rewarding enough.

“Definitely worth it,” Collins said. “Only thing that matters was making that kid happy. He’s never going to forget that moment, so that’s all that matters to me.”

The Texans return to NRG Stadium to take on the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at 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.”

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. 

Is Nico Collins playing tonight? Latest injury updates for Texans WR

Nico Collins is dealing with a hamstring injury entering Sunday’s matchup against the Detroit Lions.

The Houston Texans return home for Sunday Night Football in what could be a potential Super Bowl preview vs. the Detroit Lions. While the Texans will have Tank Dell back in the lineup, one player could be out for another week.

Despite being activated off the injured reserve, wide receiver Nico Collins was always going to be a game-time decision. Will the Texans’ top target be able to play in Week 10 against the NFC favorites?

That’s the only question Texans and Lions fans alike will want answered ahead of their primetime clash at NRG 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. His status was always expected to be murky, especially given that he hadn’t gone through a full practice in nearly a month.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was noncommittal when questioned about the 25-year-old’s status for Sunday’s contest against the NFC North leaders.

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

On Sunday, the Texans listed him as inactive. He’ll need a bit more time to recover before taking the field.

When will Nico Collins return?

Barring a setback, it’s expected that Collins will 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.

Second-year receiver Tank Dell, who also appeared on the injury report with a back injury, is good to go. He’ll serve as the No. 1 weapon for C.J. Stroud against a pesky but penalty-riddled Lions’ secondary.

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?

With Collins sidelined and two-time All-Pro Stefon 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

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.” 

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