Despite a disappointing loss to the Jets, the Texans have reason to be hopeful about the future. Wide receiver Nico Collins is expected to return to the lineup in Week 10.
Collins was placed on injured reserve after injuring his hamstring in Week 5, sidelining him until at least Week 9. The Texans expected him to be “ready to go” after those four weeks off, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
After playing on Thursday night, Houston now has a mini-bye with 10 days before their next game, a Sunday night matchup against the Lions. The team has “great optimism” that Collins will return for that game, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Collins’ return could not come at a better time for a Texans offense that lost Stefon Diggs to a season-ending ACL tear. Against the Jets, C.J. Stroud only completed 11 of his 30 passing attempts — a career-low 36.7% completion percentage — for 191 yards and zero touchdowns, taking eight sacks. Houston’s lackluster offensive line was certainly a factor in Stroud’s struggles, but he lacked another consistent receiving target outside of Tank Dell.
Despite his lengthy absence, Collins still ranks ninth in the NFL in receiving yards, averaging 113.4 yards per game before his injury. With more than a week to ramp up his participation in practice, the fourth-year receiver should be able to hit the ground running in Week 10.
Diggs’ injury stirred speculation that the Texans could get involved in the NFL’s active wide receiver trade market. Diggs’ 496 receiving yards accounted for 23.1% of Stroud’s production this year, and any setback to Collins would leave Dell and Dalton Schultz — who have combined for just 72.1 yards per game — as the team’s top two targets. No other receiver has more than 100 yards this season, but the Texans feel confident that Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson, and John Metchie can all step up if needed.
However, according to Breer, Houston made “some cursory calls to teams shopping receivers” after Diggs tore his ACL, indicating that they could add a wideout before the deadline if the price is right. A Day 3 pick swap like the Ravens used to acquire Diontae Johnson might bring in enough talent without sacrificing too much future draft capital.
