Houston Texans Wide Receivers Unlikely for Week 15

The Houston Texans could be in line for their worst offensive performance of the season in Week 15. KPRC2's Aaron Wilson reports wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins aren't expected to play in Sunday's matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Texans’ Dameon Pierce, Brandin Cooks Derek Stingley Jr. not practicing, others, not expected to play Sunday against Chiefs @KPRC2 https://t.co/hE1VJF97Y4
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 14, 2022

The news follows word that rookie running back Dameon Pierce suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 14's 27-23 loss to the Cowboys and will miss at least one game. Cooks had been unavailable since injuring his calf against the Miami Dolphins in Week 12. Nico Collins missed last week's game with a foot injury.

At 1-11-1, the Texans should be ready to throw the towel in on their season, so the losses of Cooks, Collins, and Pierce shouldn't drastically alter their fate. The Texans may help their franchise more in the long run by shutting down their established veterans in order to better evaluate the fringes of their roster. If they can keep losing and assure themselves of the first overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, all the better.

Cooks joined the Texans via trade with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 and has totalled 2707 receiving yards in 41 appearances with the team. Collins was the Texans' 89th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft and has emerged as a solid, big-bodied possession wide receiver in his second year, averaging 48.1 yards per game across his 10 appearances this season.