Tag: Nico Collins

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.
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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).

Bucs’ Chris Godwin leads NFL in a key receiving catgeories through Week 6

Through six games, the Bucs wide receiver has been on a tear and leads all receivers in the NFL in not just one but multiple key categories.

Having a sure-handed wide receiver like Chris Godwin is a luxury. Through six games, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver has been on a tear and leads all receivers in the NFL in not just one but multiple key categories.

Godwin leads the way for wide receivers with a minimum of 25 targets on the season, catching 84.3% of on-target throws in his direction by quarterback Baker Mayfield, who completes 43-of-51 passes. Cincinnati Bengals superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase trails with an 82.9 catch rate on 10-less targets (41), supplying Mayfield with a 138.3 passer rating when he tosses the ball toward Godwin.

Receiving yards has Godwin positioned with the third-most at 510 behind Houston Texans’ Nico Collins (566) and the Bengals’ Chase (565). Where Godwin begins to set himself apart from the pack is his 335 yards after catch eclipse that of the second-place Chase (268), who is more commonly known as an explosive receiver, by 67. The only slot receiver in the NFL who averages more yards after catch per reception is Green Bay’s Jayden Reed with 8.1 YAC/REC. He also is tied with Chase, Allen Lazard, and fellow Buccaneers Mike Evans to lead the NFL with 5 TD.

Godwin’s chemistry with Mayfield has generated a league-leading 30 receiving first downs through six games. To make things impressive, Godwin is ranked 55th in the league for average depth of target (ADOT) at just 5.2 yards- essentially half (10.3) of what he saw in Dave Canales’ offense last season.

The Texans connection between quarterback CJ Stroud and Collins has generated the second-most receiving first downs on the season with 27, with an ADOT of 12.0- nearly three times that of Godwin.

Currently on pace for a career year with 122 receptions, 1445 yards, and 14 touchdowns, The 28-year old Godwin is picking no better time to produce even higher numbers than what Bucs fans have grown accustomed to, as he is playing in the final year of his three-year contract.

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.

Packers to avoid facing NFL’s leading receiver Nico Collins in Week 7 matchup vs Texans

The Texans, who come to Lambeau Field in Week 7, placed WR Nico Collins on injured reserve. Collins leads the NFL in receiving yards.

The Green Bay Packers caught a break as they won’t have to face the NFL’s leading receiver in Week 7. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Houston Texans have placed Nico Collins on injured reserve, forcing him to miss at least four games. The Packers are scheduled to host the Texans at Lambeau Field in less than two weeks.

Collins, who leads the NFL with 567 receiving yards through the first five games, injured his hamstring during the first quarter of last week’s win over the Buffalo Bills. Collins suffered the injury while hauling in a 67-yard touchdown pass from quarterback CJ Stroud.

Last season, Collins emerged as the top receiver in Houston’s 12th-ranked offense, posting career highs in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns. He was a third-round pick by the Texans in 2021.

Collins was off to another encouraging start in 2024. Still, Houston poses a significant challenge for Green Bay, as they hold the top spot in the AFC South with a 4-1 record. Now, their top-ranked passing offense will undoubtedly take a hit without Collins.

The Packers must be prepared to stop a familiar foe in Stefon Diggs, who terrorized them over his five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, as well as Tank Dell, who was among the rookie leaders in catches, yards, and touchdowns last season before getting hurt.

Packers vs. Texans has been a highly anticipated meeting on the NFL calendar since schedules were announced in May. Both teams were popular picks to represent their respective conferences in this year’s Super Bowl after making it to last year’s postseason with first-year starting quarterbacks.

Houston appears to be postseason-bound yet again, though they will have to find a way to maintain their strong air attack without their most valuable weapon.

Meanwhile, the Packers are fortunate not to have a game plan for Collins. Sitting at 3-2, they are still trying to work through some things on both sides of the ball and may need the next couple of games to find their rhythm.

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 receive unfortunate news surrounding WR Nico Collins

Nico Collins might not be good to go this Sunday when the Houston Texans take on the New England Patriots.

After further tests, Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins could be out longer than just a few days leading up to Week 6’s matchup against the New England Patriots.

At his annual Monday press conference, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Collins would be “week to week” after leaving early in Sunday’s 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Ryans said Collins was “in good spirits” after the game, though there isn’t a set timetable given how hamstrings heal.

“He’s attacking his rehab the right way,” Ryans said. “Our staff will help him get back right when that right time is.”

Collins, who leads the NFL with 567 receiving yards, suffered the injury on his 67-yard touchdown catch from C.J. Stroud during the first quarter. He did not return after leaving the blue medical tent for further evaluation.

Stroud managed to throw for 331 yards while completing passes for Cam Akers, Dare Ogunbowale, Dalton Schultz, Tank Dell and new top weapon Stefon Diggs, but the scoring was limited. Houston only totaled nine points after Collins’ departure.

Even at 1-4, Houston can’t afford to overlook the Patriots, especially with it being a road matchup. Ryans said the team feels good about its depth, but losing Collins does come with concerns about the play design.

“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.”

Dell and Diggs are the favorites to see expanded roles with Collins limited in practice. The latter is coming off a six-catch afternoon for a team-leading 82 yards.

https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1843374483496939811

Dell, who served as Houston’s secondary option in the passing game opposite Collins, caught four balls for 38 yards.

Houston also could expand the roles of Xavier Hutchinson, John Metchie III and veteran Robert Woods, who secured exceptional field position last week on a 13-yard punt return to set up the Ka’imi Fairbairn game-winning field goal.

“Robert has been outstanding for us since the first day he stepped in here. I mean, he’s done everything that we’ve asked,” Ryans said. “Whatever role he’s in, Rob is a true leader in that regard. He shows up and works every single day, doesn’t say much, but he works.

“He’s a team-first player and that’s what everybody should aspire to be like. When you’re playing, especially here for us, you need that team-first mentality.”

Kickoff from Gillette Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.

Report: Texans have update on WR Nico Collins

Nico Collins is currently “day-to-day” on his return for the Houston Texans after leaving Sunday’s win against the Buffalo Bills.

Nico Collins is the heart of the Houston Texans’ offense through five weeks of the NFL season.

That heart could be beating at full capacity once more this Sunday against the New England Patriots.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Collins is listed as “day-to-day” with a hamstring injury after leaving in the first quarter of Sunday’s win against the Buffalo Bills.

The hope is he’ll be cleared to play for Week 6 or at least Week 7 when Houston travels to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers.

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud connected with Collins for a touchdown to put the Texans up 14-3. The fourth-year pass-catcher limped to the sidelines and entered the blue medical before heading to the locker room for further evaluation.

Entering Sunday’s game, Collins led the league with 489 yards off 30 catches. After the pair of receptions, his number went up to 567 yards.

“He is the best receiver in football,” Stroud said postgame. “When he gets out the game, it definitely is tough on us. A lot of things are predicated towards him and planned for him. I definitely do think we still have a lot of other guys who step up too, so I thought they did a good job doing that.”

Barring an injury, Collins is on pace for 128 catches for 2,078 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s been Stroud’s go-to guy through guy, as his volume of targets only continues to expand with each game.

In last week’s against over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Collins caught 12 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown performance on 15 targets to secure the 24-20 victory.

If Collins can’t go, Houston still has a 1-2 combination in Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs, plus tight end Dalton Schultz. In his first game against his former team, Diggs finished with a team-leading six catches for 82 yards.

Dell, who missed last week’s game against the Jaguars, caught four balls for 38 yards.

“Definitely hope Nico is okay and we can get him back as soon as possible,” Stroud said. “I definitely know that we have a lot of depth in that room.”

Report: Texans WR Nico Collins could have short-term injury

Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins could be back sooner than some expect after leaving in the first half against the Buffalo Bills.

Nico Collins’ absence was felt by the Houston Texans’ offense during Sunday’s 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills, but it might not be for long.

According to KPRC2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Collins could be back next weekend when the Texans take on the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Collins, who picked up 78 yards on yards on two catches, suffered a hamstring injury on a 67-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter with 1:34 remaining.

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud connected with Collins for a touchdown to put the Texans up 14-3. The fourth-year pass-catcher limped to the sidelines and went into the blue medical before heading to the locker room for further evaluation.

Entering Sunday’s game, Collins led the league with 489 yards off 30 catches. After the pair of receptions, his number went up to 567 yards.

Barring an injury, Collins is on pace for 128 catches for 2,078 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s been Stroud’s go-to guy through guy, as his volume of targets only continues to expand with each game.

In last week’s against over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Collins caught 12 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown performance on 15 targets to secure the 24-20 victory.

If Collins can’t go, Houston still has a 1-2 combination in Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs, plus tight end Dalton Schultz. In his first game against his former team, Diggs finished with a team-leading six catches for 82 yards.

Dell, who missed last week’s game against the Jaguars, caught four balls for 38 yards.

Kickoff next week is scheduled for noon CT.