Nico Collins has been Designated for Return/Returned to practice and we have made another roster move. pic.twitter.com/a0llsqDsze
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 8, 2024
Collins went down early in the Texans' Week 5 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills. He appeared to strain his hamstring following a 67-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter. He's been unavailable ever since.
Collins should instantly and drastically transform the Texans offense. His 567 receiving yards through the first five weeks of the season were, at the time, the most in the league. Since linking up with quarterback C.J. Stroud in 2023, Collins has averaged a team-high 93.2 receiving yards per game at an astonishing 12.1 yards per target. He has been unquestionably one of the most valuable wide receivers in the league.
The Texans offense is in desperate need of added firepower. They're averaging a middling 22.3 points per game, and Stroud in particular has regressed precipitously in his second year. The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year's passing yards per game have dropped from a league-best 273.9 to 237.7, and his net yards per attempt are down from 7.03 to 5.86. Notably, the Texans also lost Stefon Diggs, their second-leading receiver, to a season-ending torn ACL in Week 8.
It's unclear at this point if Collins will be available for Sunday Night Football's showdown with the Detroit Lions. Thankfully, the Texans have compiled a 6-3 record and a 3-0 record in the AFC South, so they've given themselves a bit of a cushion as they push for the playoffs. Given the Kansas City Chiefs seem to have a stranglehold on the AFC's top seed with their 8-0 record, the Texans should prioritize Collins' health for the stretch run rather than rushing him back to the field before he's absolutely ready.
Photo Credit: © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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