The Houston Texans’ chances of keeping up with the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2 took a hit Wednesday when star receiver Nico Collins suffered a hamstring issue during practice. Collins was listed as limited on the team’s report and, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, his availability for Sunday is uncertain.
Schefter added that medical staff “don’t believe it’s serious,” but the timeline still appears iffy for Week 2. Collins, 27, came off a strong performance in Week 1 against Buffalo, hauling in seven passes for 75 yards and a touchdown. He’s been C.J. Stroud’s main receiving weapon—posting over 1,000 yards in each of the last three seasons and earning two Pro Bowl selections.
While Collins has missed at least one game every season since entering the league in 2021, he’s never appeared in fewer than 10 contests in a year. Losing him on Sunday would strain a receiving corps already weakened by Jayden Higgins’ torn ACL in August. Without Collins, Houston would likely have to rely on recent addition Kayshon Boutte along with Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel—the three totaled just six catches in the Texans’ 36-31 loss to the Bills.
The Bengals aren’t completely healthy, either: Joe Burrow is dealing with back tightness but said Wednesday he doesn’t expect to miss the game. A fully healthy Burrow and Cincinnati offense—after scoring 33 points in Week 1—still pose a major test for Houston’s defense.
If Collins can play, he’d be a key factor in helping the Texans keep pace with the Bengals; if he can’t, someone else will need to make a sizable jump to carry the offense.
Fan take: This matters because Collins’ status could decide whether the Texans remain competitive in a matchup that’s pivotal for their early-season momentum. For the league, it’s another reminder of how thin depth charts can quickly alter game plans and highlight the value of reliable secondary weapons.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
