Texans wide receiver Nico Collins passes all hamstring tests, no setbacks, not designated for return yet

HOUSTON – Texans star wide receiver Nico Collins has passed a regimen of tests for his hamstring injury suffered against the Buffalo Bills with no setbacks and has regained his speed and mobility, running 20 miles per hour in training sessions, according to league sources.

Collins didn’t practice Wednesday and the team is still determining whether he will be designated for return from injured reserve for a Sunday night game against the Detroit Lions.

This designation would launch Collins’ 21-day activation window for him to be restored to the active roster. Once Collins starts practicing, he’ll have the opportunity to be active and return to play. If the Texans feel like he needs more time, Collins can remain inactive and they can try again next week before a Monday night game against the Dallas Cowboys. It’s a fluid situation, a source emphasized.

Collins has made a speedy recovery, per league sources, after getting hurt catching a touchdown pass against the Bills and being placed on injured reserve.

“It’s all very encouraging,” a source said. “Nico is doing well.”

“Nico, he’s doing good,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said after practice. “We’ll see where he ends up.”

In other injury updates, Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. didn’t practice due to an ankle injury sustained against the New York Jets that’s not regarded as a long-term issue. Center Jarrett Patterson returned to practice and participated fully as he’s in the final stages of clearing the NFL concussion protocol.

“He’s doing well,” Ryans said of Anderson, who leads the team with 7 1/2 sacks. “We’ll see where he ends up.”

Running back Dameon Pierce (groin) didn’t practice along with defensive ends Derek Barnett (calf, shoulder) and Dylan Horton (illness), defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi *(groin, shoulder) and offensive guard Kenyon Green (shoulder). The following players were limited: linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), linebacker Jake Hansen (ankle), defensive end Jerry Hughes (hip), offensive guard Shaq Mason (hip), cornerback Jeff Okudah (quadriceps), offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (rest) and safety Jimmie Ward (groin).

Practicing for the second week in a row and on track to return for the Lions game: veteran middle linebacker and team captain Azeez Al-Shaair and safety and team captain Jimmie Ward. Al-Shaair has been out since getting hurt against the New England Patriots. Ward has been out for the past month with Eric Murray and Calen Bullock starting at safety.

Collins, who was initially optimistic that he could return in a few weeks before a magnetic resonance imaging exam revealed enough damage to the leg that it was diagnosed as a three to four week injury, per league sources, missed the mandatory four weeks before he was eligible to be designated for return under NFL rules. He injured the middle portion of his right hamstring.

Without Collins, the passing game has suffered. That included a career-low 86 yards, 55 net yards, 10 of 21 passing and no touchdowns for Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud during a 24-22 road loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field. Stroud completed just 10 of 31 passes, a career-low percentage, in a loss to the New York Jets last Thursday night.

Collins was leading the NFL with 567 receiving yards before the injury. Without him, the focal point of the offense has shifted to running back Joe Mixon as he has hit the century mark in four consecutive games with at least one touchdown per contest.

Collins is a unique wide receiver, towering over opposing defensive backs with his superior size. His speed as a long strider eats up real estate as he regularly creates separation in the secondary. His polished routes, sound hands and ability to high-point the football by elevating over shorter competitors are all in the elite category.

RELATED: Texans placing wide receiver Nico Collins on injured reserve, to miss minimum of four games: Source

One of the most dominant and productive downfield threats in the game has been missed in a Texans passing game headlined by him and Stroud as their connection was interrupted.

Without Collins, a 6-foot-4, 222-pound speedster who has run the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds, the Texans have struggled to replace his production. Collins caught 32 passes before his injury and was on pace to pile up 109 catches for 1,928 yards and 10 touchdowns prior to injuring his right hamstring while catching a 67-yard touchdown pass in a win over the Bills as his leg seized up during a long touchdown catch.

“Unfortunate that we’ll not have Nico, great player, best receiver in the league,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said at the time of the injury. “He’ll be back at some point this season. Opportunity for other guys to step up and make the most of their opportunity, that’s what the league is about. A lot of guys who have stepped in when other guys are out have made a name for themselves and made some big plays in the league, so we’re looking for the same thing for whoever it may be.

“Whatever we call, whatever plays we have designed for this particular week, it’s about us operating efficiently as an offense. It’s never about one player and Nico, of course, he made a lot of big plays for us and we’re going to miss his explosive plays that he made down the field. I keep saying this: Who’s next? Who’s going to step up? Who’s going to make those plays? We’ll see.”

• Mindset of Texans’ Nico Collins, the NFL receiving yardage leader: ‘The guy in front of you can’t stop me’

Life without Collins has been difficult. There is no receiver like him on the roster that has his rare combination of size and speed and other traits. And the Texans lost Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs to a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

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It has been a tall order for the receiving corps to replace him.

“Losing somebody like Nico is very tough,” Stroud said. “Everyone understands that we’re going to miss him. I think they can. Definitely just next man up mentality. You have to be able to win football games without him for a little bit.”

• ‘True playmaker’ Nico Collins squares off against Colts after dominant performance in pivotal game last season

Read more on the Texans:

• How ‘dynamic’ Texans RB Joe Mixon joined Arian Foster, Jim Brown, Emmitt Smith in statistical benchmarks in epic season
• Source: Texans signing guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr. to practice squad
• Texans designate corner Jeff Okudah, defensive end Jerry Hughes for return from injured reserve
• Source: Texans worked out linemen La’el Collins, Tremayne Anchrum Jr, Ike Boettger, Jerome Carvin, DB Jason Taylor
• Texans rookie Jamal Hill honored by official proclamation in Georgia hometown
• Texans’ Kenyon Green dislocated left shoulder, to be placed on IR, Kendrick Green steps in, Will Anderson Jr. ankle hurt
• ‘I know I have to step up, I know I have shoes to fill,’ Texans’ Tank Dell in spotlight after Stefon Diggs’ torn ACL
• Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. is the AFC Defensive Player of the Month
• ‘I’m just trying to be that light as much as I can,’ Texans nickel Jalen Pitre nabs first interception since rookie year

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 click2houston.com.