HOUSTON – Texans’ wide receiver Nico Collins’ status has more clarity now. The Texans decided to place him on injured reserve Wednesday, per a league source, meaning the NFL receiving yardage leader will miss a minimum of four games after his right hamstring seized up during a long touchdown catch Sunday vs. Buffalo.
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The Texans will lean heavily on Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell in Collins’ absence, which will last at least four games against the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts and the New York Jets.
The first game he would be eligible to play again is a Nov. 10 Sunday night game at NRG Stadium against the Detroit Lions. It’s a major blow to the Texans’ offense, as Collins, signed to a three-year, $75 million contract extension this offseason, was on a historic pace for the season with such a fast start.
Further testing of Collins’ hamstring revealed enough damage that his recovery will take three to four weeks, per a league source, prompting the decision to place him on injured reserve.
The Texans later officially announced this move along with making it official previously reported moves that tight end Teagan Quitoriano had been signed off of the Chicago Bears’ practice squad to the 53-man roster and wide receiver Jared Wayne to the practice squad.
“He’s in good spirits,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday during his weekly press conference at NRG Stadium. “Of course, with a hamstring it takes a couple of weeks with a hamstring. So, we’ll evaluate that on a week-to-week basis to see when we can get him back.”
Collins caught a deep touchdown against the Buffalo Bills, scorching their secondary for a 67-yard score. On his path to the end zone, though, Collins injured his hamstring. He was later ruled out for the game officially.
“The update on Nico, on the long passing touchdown he felt his hammy grab, so he has a hammy,” Ryans said Sunday after a 23-20 win. “We’ll evaluate him day to day.”
Collins’ absence is a loss for the Texans’ offense. He ranks first in the NFL with 567 receiving yards. He’s tied for third in the NFL with 32 catches and tied for sixth with three touchdown catches and was on pace to finish the season with 109 catches, 1,928 yards and 10 touchdowns on 153 targets.
“Missing Nico would be very difficult,” Ryans said. “Nico has been the best receiver in the NFL this year. So, do you replace him? No, everybody just steps up and whatever role you’re asked to do, just step up and play your role the proper way. Nobody has to be Nico. There is one Nico. He’s done a great job of that. Now, whoever is next, when your number is called, make the plays that you are supposed to make.”
Collins caught two passes for 78 yards Sunday before getting hurt. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs led the Texans with six catches for 82 yards. Tank Dell caught four passes for 38 yards. And Xavier Hutchinson caught two passes for 31 yards.
“I think he is the best receiver in football,” Texans Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “When he gets out the game, it definitely is tough on us. A lot of things are predicated towards him and planned for him. I definitely do think we still have a lot of other guys who step up too. So, I thought they did a good job doing that.
“I thought Hutch played solid. Really, you have to find a way to win. We did that today. Definitely hope Nico is okay and we can get him back as soon as possible, but I definitely know that we have a lot of depth in that room.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 click2houston.com.
