The Houston Texans return home for Sunday Night Football in what could be a potential Super Bowl preview vs. the Detroit Lions. While the Texans will have Tank Dell back in the lineup, one player could be out for another week.
Despite being activated off the injured reserve, wide receiver Nico Collins was always going to be a game-time decision. Will the Texans’ top target be able to play in Week 10 against the NFC favorites?
That’s the only question Texans and Lions fans alike will want answered ahead of their primetime clash at NRG Stadium.
Nico Collins injury update
Collins, who missed the past four games with a hamstring injury, was officially designated to return on Friday. That opened a 21-day window during which Collins could practice with the Texans without taking up space on the team’s 53-man roster.
On Saturday, the Texans activated him to the 53-man roster, but still listed him as questionable for Sunday’s game. His status was always expected to be murky, especially given that he hadn’t gone through a full practice in nearly a month.
Tonight’s inactives for #DETvsHOU
pic.twitter.com/CmCbI5oU0A
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 10, 2024
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was noncommittal when questioned about the 25-year-old’s status for Sunday’s contest against the NFC North leaders.
“Nico, he’s doing good,” Ryans said after Wednesday’s practice. “We’ll see where he ends up.”
On Sunday, the Texans listed him as inactive. He’ll need a bit more time to recover before taking the field.
When will Nico Collins return?
Barring a setback, it’s expected that Collins will be cleared for Monday’s Lone Star showdown at AT&T Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys. Houston’s being patient with its No. 1 receiver, knowing its next three contests will bode in its favor.
Second-year receiver Tank Dell, who also appeared on the injury report with a back injury, is good to go. He’ll serve as the No. 1 weapon for C.J. Stroud against a pesky but penalty-riddled Lions’ secondary.
Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is inactive tonight.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2024
Nico Collins stats
Collins, who last played in Week 5’s win over the Buffalo Bills, caught a 67-yard touchdown pass from Stroud in the first quarter before leaving for the remainder of the evening. He entered Week 5 as the NFL leader in receiving yards with 567. Collins also ranked third in catches with 32 and led the Texans with three receiving touchdowns.
Texans WR depth chart?
With Collins sidelined and two-time All-Pro Stefon 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
Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik praised Dell’s performance after taking over as the leading receiver last Thursday.
Since Diggs’ departure, Dell has collected 10 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown on 13 targets.
“He took advantage of some matchups, and some plays worked out where we had given him plenty of opportunities in the last three or four weeks,” Slowik said. “Sometimes, you can’t control the coverage.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.