Tag: Nico Collins

Texans receive best news possible on WR Nico Collins’ status vs. Lions

Nico Collins is officially off the injured reserve and could be in line to start on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Nico Collins is back.

The Houston Texans officially activated the fourth-year pass-catcher injured reserve to the active roster, the team announced Saturday.  As a result, the Texans have waived former cornerback D’Angelo Ross.

While Collins might be on the active roster, the Texans are listing him as questionable for Sunday’s primetime matchup against the Detroit Lions. Should he pass all the tests during pregame drills, Collins is expected to play as the team debuts their new “Battle Red” jerseys.

Collins, who’s missed the past four games, would be a welcomed addition to the passing game now with Stefon Diggs on the injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL in Week 8.

Before suffering a hamstring injury in Week 5’s win over the Buffalo Bills, Collins led the league with 567 receiving yards. He also ranked third with 32 catches and led the Texans with three touchdowns.

During the first quarter of Week 5’s outing, Collins came up pulling his leg after scoring on a 67-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud. He immediately headed to the locker room and did not return. On Wednesday, the Texans placed on the injured reserve, sidelining him through October.

While the Texans still have problems on the offensive line, adding a second target alongside Tank Dell could upgrade C.J. Stroud’s tempo when facing a potent Lions’ pass rush. Last week against the New York Jets, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year was sacked a career-high eight times.

Dell was the only consistent weapon, totaling six catches for 126 yards. John Metchie III, Cade Stover and Xavier Hutchinson didn’t record a reception on 11 targets.

The Texans are being cautious with Collins’ return. He returned to practice on Friday for the first time in nearly a month, but the final day of the week is more of a walk-through.

Even if Collins were to be active, it’s hard to imagine him as a focal point of the passing game in the same fashion as before the injury. Dell should remain the go-to weapon, but Collins’ impact on the field would take pressure away from the second-year target.

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

Texans making offensive line switch before Week 10

The Houston Texans are quite literally having a changing of the guard before Week 10.

The Houston Texans are making a switch on the offensive line.

According to KPRC2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, the Texans plan on moving center Juice Scruggs over to left guard in place of Kenyon Green.

Jarrett Patterson, who replaced Green in Week 8, is expected to start at center on Sunday night when the Texans play host to the Detriot Lions on primetime.

Scruggs, who started eight of nine games this season at center, has experience playing left guard. The second-round pick out of Penn State played seven games at left guard as a rookie while helping the Texans secure their first divisional title in four years.

And Patterson, who cleared concussion protocol earlier this week, was a two-year starter at Notre Dame before switching over to guard his senior season.

The goal is simple: protect quarterback C.J. Stroud. The former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has already been sacked 30 times, which is second-most in the league. Last week against the Jets, Stroud was sacked a career-high eight times.

Even after Green was replaced by Kendrick Green, the offensive line was hindered by concerns when defending interior pressure.

Patterson’s experience at center and Scruggs’ past at left guard could benefit Houston defending the Lions’ front seven, which has struggled to create pressure since the loss of Aidan Hutchinson.

According to NetGenStats, the Texans lead the NFL with 151 pressures allowed.

“We just have to be better at every level,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “Upfront there are technique and fundamental stuff and just execution of what we are doing, but it goes beyond upfront it is every position in the pass game right now.

“We have really fallen off the last five weeks, so we have kind of honed in on ourselves with what we have to do to grow fundamentally, technique wise. We are where we need to be, we just have to execute it better.”

Kickoff from NRG Stadium 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.”

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.

Texans receive unfortunate upate on Nico Collins’ status vs. Lions

The Houston Texans are now without Nico Collins for a second consecutive day leading up to their Week 10 showdown on Sunday Night Football.

Nico Collins’ status for Sunday night’s matchup against the Detroit Lions seems to be trending in the wrong direction.

The Houston Texans‘ fourth-year receiver did not practice for the second consecutive day during Thursday’s open period. He also hasn’t been activated from the injured reserve list, which isn’t ideal for a Houston roster in need of a secondary target for C.J. Stroud.

Players who don’t practice the first two days of the week usually are ruled out for Sunday’s matchup. Collins, who led the NFL in receiving yards with 567 before being placed on the injured reserve list following a win over the Buffalo Bills, is probable to sit this one out in the debut of the new Battle Red uniforms.

It’s not impossible for a player for a player to miss two days of practice and then return for gameday. Defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi didn’t practice until Friday’s walkthrough before the Texans’ Week 7 matchup against the Green Bay Packers after dealing with a shoulder injury.

Tight end Dalton Schultz played after an ankle injury sidelined him for two days prior to Week 2’s primetime matchup against the Chicago Bears.

Both practiced on Friday, however, giving them a chance to show up on the injury report as “questionable.” Friday will be perhaps the most crucial day for evaluation.

If Collins is activated off the IR, there’s a chance, even if he’s limited in walkthroughs, that he could play. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Ryans was  “doing good,” but his status would be monitored throughout the week.

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

Will Texans WR Nico Collins play on Sunday vs. Lions?

Nico Collins is inching closer back to playing and recently received a positive update surrounding his hamstring.

Nico Collins is eligible to come off the injured reserve just in time for the Houston Texans’ Week 10 showdown against the Detroit Lions.

Will he? According to one report, it’s possible.

According to KPRC2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Collins has passed multiple tests for his hamstring injury suffered against the Buffalo Bills with zero setbacks. He’s also regained his speed and mobility, running up to 20 mph on the treadmill.

Houston, which is coming off a 21-13 loss against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football, needs to find a stable No. 2 weapon.

Tank Dell took over as the team’s top weapon, hauling in six passes for 126 yards, but he struggled while working behind Stefon Diggs in Collins’ absence.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the team would “monitor” Collins throughout the week before determining if he’s ready to come off the injured list. The fourth-year pass-catcher didn’t practice Wednesday.

Once the Texans activate Collins’ 21-day window, they’ll have time to rest the hamstring before reaching a decision. If all goes according to plan, Houston could have Collin back no later than Monday night’s showdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

Before leaving against the Bills, Collins was leading the NFL with 567 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He also ranked third in receptions with 32 and was averaging 18.9 yards per catch.

Much like when Joe Mixon was sidelined, Houston’s offense has been built around a consistent focal point. Collins, who signed a three-year extension in the offseason, finished with three outings of at least 100 yards and six catches during Mixon’s absence.

Since his departure, the Texans have leaned on Mixon, who recently became the team’s first running back since Arian Foster to rush for over 100 yards and at least one touchdown in four consecutive games.

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

Watch: Texans capitalize on Jets WR Malachi Corley fumble

The Houston Texans benefit from a rare fumble forced without any tackle during an ugly start to the Thursday night football game with Jets

It’s been that kind of season for the New York Jets.

The good news? It’s benefitting the Houston Texans

On a well-designed reverse play, Malachi Corley went untouched 19 yards to the end zone, but right before he crossed the goal line, Corley dropped the ball and it rolled out of the end zone.

Due to the ball rolling out of the end zone, it is a touchback, meaning Houston gains possession. It’s been an ugly start for both sides, combining for less than 100 yards in the opening quarter.

New York’s snap at the Texans 19-yard line was the lone snap inside either red zone. Houston’s offense has done little while the Jets struggle.

Stroud has been under pressure most of the night and the passing game has struggled without receivers Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins.

Houston can activate Collins off the IR next week, while Diggs will miss the rest of the season an ACL tear.

When will Nico Collins return from injury for the Texans? Here’s the latest update in Week 9

Here’s the latest about the star wideout before Week 9.

The Houston Texans’ wide receivers room is getting lonely after Stefon Diggs was ruled out for the year with a torn ACL, but help is on the way.

Nico Collins, the NFL’s leading receiver through early October, is nearing a return from a hamstring injury that’s kept him on injured reserved since October 9.

Unfortunately, that means he won’t be available for Week 9’s matchup against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football. The earliest Houston can activate Collins off IR is Week 10 and it sure seems like he’ll be ready to go based on the latest reporting.

Per Aaron Wilson of NBC’s Houston affiliate KPRC2, Collins hasn’t dealt with any setbacks:

Collins has reached 20 miles per hour in training since the injury and has quickly regained his flexibility, strength and mobility, per league sources, after getting hurt catching a touchdown pass against the Buffalo Bills and being placed on injured reserve.

So no Nico in Week 9, but get ready for a much-needed return against the Detroit Lions in Week 10 if nothing changes.
DIVE DEEPER INTO FOR THE WIN: Start your day with The Morning Win newsletter for columns, insights and irreverent musings from the world of sports and pop culture

Texans will be without two stars on offense vs. the Jets

Texans might be without two stars on offense vs. the Jets

(Update: 1:31 p.m.): Diggs has been ruled out of Thursday and for the remainder of the 2024 NFL season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Previous coverage:

On paper, the New York Jets have a daunting task ahead of them in Week 9 on a short week against the Houston Texans… all while Gang Green tries to keep any chances of a playoff berth alive.

The Texans (6-2) will head to New York to face the Jets (2-6) on “Thursday Night Football.”

However, a few of their best players most likely will not be doing so. Both are star playmakers on offense in wide receivers Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs.

At the top, Collins (hamstring) is already on injured reserve. He cannot return until Week 10, so he’s confirmed to be out against New York.

Without Collins, Diggs stepped up into the No. 1 receiver role… until he was hurt last weekend against the Indianapolis Colts. Per Texans Wire, Diggs sustained a non-contact knee injury which is never good news.

All things considered, just about everyone expects Diggs to not play against the Jets.

There have been no full updates on the Diggs situation just yet–but the latest can be found via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport in the clip below:

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).