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Nico Collins’ status has become a major concern for the Houston Texans. Collins injured his hamstring during Wednesday practice and did not participate on Thursday. Consequently, his availability for Sunday against the Bengals in serious doubt. Team doctors reportedly do not consider the injury severe, but with kickoff approaching, Houston cannot assume its No. 1 receiver will be available.
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The 27-year-old showed his value immediately in Week 1, catching seven passes for 75 yards and a touchdown against Buffalo. He serves as C.J. Stroud’s most reliable target on contested catches and explosive plays. Collins has now produced 296 catches, 4,422 yards and 25 touchdowns in 67 career games with Houston.
The offensive challenge is amplified because second-year receiver Jayden Higgins is already out for the season after suffering a torn ACL during August joint practices. Houston must adjust its offensive game plan if Collins is ruled out. The coaching staff may need to distribute targets broadly, utilize more multi-tight end sets, and lean more heavily on the rushing attack.
How Can Houston Cover the Loss of Collins?
Houston knew it needed more receiver depth after Higgins went down. That led to the trade for Kayshon Boutte, who arrived from New England after producing 76 catches, 1,140 yards and nine touchdowns over the previous two seasons. Boutte had only one catch for 21 yards in his Texans debut, meaning Week 2 could present an opportunity to expand his role.
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Xavier Hutchinson already played the second-most offensive snaps among Houston receivers in Week 1. He was on the field for 44 of 79 offensive snaps and caught three passes for 32 yards on six targets.
Jaylin Noel played a secondary role in the opener, yet he maximized his limited opportunities. He caught two passes for 53 yards and was among Houston’s most effective receivers at creating separation. If Collins cannot play, giving Noel more routes could help replace some of the explosiveness Houston loses on the outside.
Houston does not need to rely solely on a wideout-driven solution. Running back Woody Marks provided 42 rushing yards against Buffalo, complementing Nick Chubb in the backfield. The Texans converted 43.8% of their third downs in Week 1, and their ability to stay in manageable situations helped relieve pressure on Stroud. That formula becomes even more vital if Houston loses its top target.
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This story was originally published September 17, 2026 at 11:19 PM.