Texans WR1 Nico Collins delivers best performance since injury: ‘Keep stacking, keep climbing, work on my craft

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Crisp chemistry. Mostly impeccable timing. Bigger plays and bigger production.

That was the outcome Sunday as Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and star wide receiver Nico Collins had their most productive collaboration since Collins returned from a pulled hamstring that cost him five games, four on injured reserve, and another as a precautionary measure after his right leg had fully healed up.

During a 23-20 road victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Collins caught eight passes for 119 yards on 11 targets. Those are his highest catch, yardage and targets since he was activated from injured reserve. Collins has 20 receptions for 201 yards and one touchdown over the past two games heading into the 8-5 Texans’ bye weeks.

“Little bit, yes sir, most definitely,” Collins told KPRC 2 when asked if he feels like the chemistry between him and Stroud and his sharpness have returned. “I got to keep stacking. I dropped a ball, a big-time ball.

“I got to keep climbing, work on the little things. There’s always room for improvement for my game, work on my craft and get ready for this stretch we’re about to have.”

Despite missing a significant portion of the season, Collins has 49 receptions for 832 yards and four touchdowns with 37 first downs. He ranks eighth in the NFL in receiving yards. At one point, Collins was on pace for 2,000 receiving yards before he got hurt. He has been targeted 72 times.

He’s now on pace to finish the season with 64 catches for 1,088 yards and five scores.

Earlier this season in another win over the Jaguars as the Texans swept the annual AFC South season series, Collins caught 12 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets.

“Yeah, for sure,” Stroud said when asked if he and Collins are back in sync. “I think Nico has come back. I don’t think he was very rusty, which has been amazing to see. He’s been turning it on every game. So, it’s very inspiring to see and I can’t wait to keep building with him.”

The Texans’ most dangerous offensive weapons are Collins and running back Joe Mixon. That complementary approach can pay dividends, as it did in the second half against the Jaguars as the Texans took command of the game. And their playmaking skills makes Stroud’s job easier.

“It’s helping out tremendously,” Stroud said. “A lot of times where they’re trying to take me and Nico away, or Tank {Dell] or Metch {John Metchie III], Rob [Robert Woods], the passing game and then we’re able to run the ball. And then there’s times where they try to take away Joe and then we’re table to pass it. New chemistry we are still working on, and now I feel like we’re starting to get that rhythm and just got to keep it going. We always have really good drives, but those bad plays, we got to get rid of those, I feel like we’ll be better with that.”

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