HOUSTON – Nico Collins broke open with a pure, explosive release, creating an immediate conflict for Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell as he trailed him in coverage and began losing ground.
Campbell stumbled to the ground as he grabbed the back of Collins’ No. 12 jersey, an attempt made in vain to slow down the Texans’ star wide receiver. That illegal move didn’t draw a penalty, but the gambit didn’t have its intended effect.
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Collins broke wide open into the secondary despite Campbell’s grab and caught a 40-yard pass in stride from quarterback C.J. Stroud off a crisp play-action fake that froze the Jaguars’ defensive backs.
This marked Collins’ most impressive performance in his third game back from a hamstring pull that cost him five games on injured reserve. Collins caught eight passes for 119 yards on 11 targets during a 23-20 road victory. 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.
How Collins emerged as the Texans’ most dangerous downfield threat and $75 million man are a testament to his talent, work ethic and perseverance as he overcame injuries during his first few NFL seasons to become a stronger, more flexible and durable athlete at 6-foot-4, 222 pounds with 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash.
At the start of his NFL career after being drafted in the third round out of the University of Michigan where he played for receivers coach and passing game coordinator Ben McDaniels and sat out his final college season due to COVID-19 concerns, Collins was limited to just 24 games in his first two seasons and combined for 70 catches for a modest 947 yards and three touchdowns. He broke out last season, catching a career-high 80 passes for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns, earning a three-year, $75 million extension that included a $17 million signing bonus and $52 million guaranteed.
“The credit goes to Nico and Ben McDaniels and the offensive staff,” said Texans general manager Nick Caserio, who negotiated Collins’ offseason contract extension with agent Drew Rosenhaus. “He was a little bit of a raw player. He’s 6-4 225 pounds, who ran fast and got behind the defense at Michigan and didn’t play his last year. Then, you kind of had to make some projection there. We felt Nico was a decent player, somebody we want to work with, but nobody’s worked harder than Nico Collins to improve and make himself a good football player.
“Really, it’s a good example of a young player who has to go through offseason, go through some adversity. I mean, he didn’t have a lot of success, even going back to ‘22. He was injured and caught (37) passes, but he never lost faith. Tremendous attitude, like great human being, great person, always upbeat, works his ass off and has improved and gotten better and has taken the coaching. The credit goes to Nico. Credit goes to the offensive staff and Ben McDaniels for the work that they’ve put in. Happy for Nico and just happy for him because he’s a great person.”
Crisp chemistry. Mostly impeccable timing. Bigger plays and bigger production.
That was the outcome Sunday as Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and Collins had their most productive collaboration since Collins’ return from injured reserve.
#Texans GM Nick Caserio emphasized emergence and improvement of WR1 Nico Collins @lbg_nico7 @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/FzmrU4svEB
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 3, 2024
“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.”
#Texans wide receiver Nico Collins on win over #Jaguars and his performance: eight catches for 119 yards on 11 targets @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/Sw6qkiCit9
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 1, 2024
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. “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.”
#Texans C.J. Stroud on renewed timing and chemistry with Nico Colllins who delivers his most productive game since hamstring injury @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/3jUoIE9zEl
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 2, 2024
From the first play of scrimmage in his first game back against the Dallas Cowboys, Collins served notice about his health and his rare explosiveness.
During a 34-10 blowout victory, Collins caught a screen pass from quarterback C.J. Stroud, adeptly found space behind the interference his offensive line ran for him against pursuit and was off to the races. Collins’ acceleration was incredible on a 77-yard touchdown catch-and-run, silencing the Cowboys’ fans at AT&T Stadium as a large contingent of traveling Texans fans erupted in celebration.
Unfortunately, a yellow flag littered the field. Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil was ruled to be an ineligible receiver downfield with officials penalizing him and wiping out Collins’ touchdown. After the game, Tunsil insisted he wasn’t guilty of the infraction. Nonetheless, Collins’ speed and moves were on full display.
Inside the Texans’ victorious locker room, Collins emphasized this is just the start. As the NFL receiving yardage leader at the time of his injury, Collins was on pace for 100 catches and 2,000 yards. He’s determined to get back to that kind of stellar production.
“It’s the intro,” Collins said.
The play had been plotted well, drawn up ideally by offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. And Collins did his job, smoothly waiting for the blocking to be set up in front of him before taking off at a high speed.
“How did it look?” Collins said. “It felt good. It didn’t count, but it is what it is. Being back out there with the guys, and getting this win on the road is the most important thing. Being back out there with the guys, having fun, I missed them. I feel like suiting up having fun is the most important thing.
“We kind of knew what it was. First play, gotta go out with a bang. That’s what happened, but it got called back. Sick about it, but it is what it is.”
Collins finished the game with four receptions for 54 yards on seven targets, including a 33-yard reception, as he matched approximately the production of fellow wide receiver Tank Dell.
“Everyone instantly sees the impact of Nico,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Our first offensive play goes for a touchdown, right? It gets called back, but you see his impact instantly. He’s a game-changer and we’re so thankful to have him back and see what he provides to our entire team.”
That marked a season-low in terms of yardage for Collins as his season was interrupted by the right leg injury suffered against the Buffalo Bills on a 67-yard touchdown catch.
“Enthusiasm, energy, playmaking ability and just having fun with the guys,” Collins said. “I feel like that’s the most important part. Not losing your mind and not losing track of how gifted we are to play this game.
“Just having fun, I feel that’s the main thing to me. Being out there suiting up, it’s no better feeling. Throwing on your helmet, suiting up in armor. I’m just grateful for that.”
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Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 click2houston.com.
