As the Houston Texans prepare for their Monday night showdown with the Dallas Cowboys, they could be getting back a healthy target in the passing game.
Despite being activated off the injured reserve, wide receiver Nico Collins was ruled out for Week 10’s 26-23 loss against the Detroit Lions. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans gave an update Tuesday on Collins’ status heading into Week 11.
That’s the only question Texans fans alike will want answered ahead of their primetime clash at AT&T 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. On Sunday, the Texans listed him as inactive, which factored into a three-point loss at home.
#Texans HC DeMeco Ryans said that WR Nico Collins will practice this week.
The expectation is that he will be back for MNF against the Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/ex92jfE4qy
— Nick Schwager (@NickSchwagerNFL) November 12, 2024
On Tuesday, Ryans said Collins would be a participant in practice.
“I anticipate him practicing,” Ryans said.
When will Nico Collins return?
Barring a setback, Collins should 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 of winning.
After facing off against the Cowboys, the Texans have back-to-back divisional games against the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Expectation is for #Texans star wide receiver Nico Collins to practice all week and then make his return Monday night against the #Cowboys per multiple league sources. ‘He’s 100 percent ready to go,’ a source said @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 12, 2024
“Any time you get a starting receiver back and Nico, a guy who’s been – before he was out, he was the top receiver in the league,” Ryans said. “So, I think any time you get him back, it’s going to help everybody.”
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
Two-time All-Pro Stefon Diggs is on the season-ending injured reserve, but here’s a look at the Texans receiving depth chart entering Week 11 now with Collins back.
- Nico Collins
- 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.”
Metchie, a former second-round pick, could be in line for another breakout game after serving as Stroud’s top target in Sunday’s loss. He caught five passes for 74 yards and scored his first touchdown on a 1-yard pass with 12 seconds remaining in the first half.
“I’m just really proud of just his improvement and him taking the coaching, taking the practice to the field on Sunday,” Ryans said.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.