Top Houston Texans Wide Receivers Miss Second-Straight Practice

The Houston Texans passing attack could be in shambles against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14. Leading wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins both missed their second straight practice on Thursday, jeopardizing their availability for Sunday's game.

Nico Collins (foot), Brandin Cooks (calf), Troy Hairston (ribs), Derek Stingley Jr., Kurt Hinish (shoulder) not practicing again #Texans @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 8, 2022

Cooks missed Week 13's 27-14 loss to the Cleveland Browns because of a calf injury. Collins played his usual allotment of snaps but apparently suffered a foot injury at some point. He hauled in three of his 10 targets for 35 yards and one touchdown.

The Texans intend to return quarterback Davis Mills to the starting lineup on Sunday, but they'll be doing him no favors if he takes the field without Cooks and Collins. The two wide receivers have combined for 1001 yards and three touchdowns for the Texans this year, nearly 40% of the team's total production through the air. Without the team's two leading pass catchers to help, Mills likely won't have much chance to endear himself to Texans coaches against the Cowboys' third-ranked scoring defense.

Cooks initially joined the Texans via trade with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020. He tallied consecutive 1000-yard receiving seasons over his previous two years, but injuries will likely keep him from repeating the feat in 2022. Collins entered the league as the Texans' 89th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has totalled 927 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 24 appearances with the team.