The Houston Texans are cautiously optimistic about the potential return of star receiver Nico Collins as the team looks to turn its recent fortunes around.
After missing several games due to a hamstring injury sustained in Week 5, Collins has not yet rejoined the lineup for the Texans’ most recent loss to the Detroit Lions. However, head coach DeMeco Ryans has made it clear that Collins’ absence is not due to any setbacks with his recovery.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Ryans confirmed that the decision to keep Collins out of Sunday’s game was purely a game-time choice. “No setback with Nico, that was just a game-time decision,” Ryans stated, adding that he expects the talented wide receiver to practice this week. The hope within the Texans’ camp is that Collins’ return could provide the offensive spark the team desperately needs.
Despite not seeing action since the first quarter of Week 5, Collins continues to lead the team in receiving yards with 567 and is tied for the team lead with three touchdowns. His absence has been felt, especially given the Texans’ 2-3 record since he was sidelined. Houston started the season strong, going 4-1, but their offense has struggled without him.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud’s performance has also taken a noticeable dip without Collins on the field. According to Next Gen Stats, Stroud has posted much better numbers with Collins on the field. With Collins, Stroud has a 70.5% completion percentage, 8.5 yards per attempt, and a passer rating of 107.0. Without him, Stroud’s completion percentage drops to 57.9%, his yards per attempt fall to 6.4, and his passer rating drops significantly to 77.1.
This stark difference highlights just how important Collins is to the Texans’ offense. His ability to stretch the field and make big plays has been crucial in allowing Stroud to succeed. The team’s passing game, which has been inconsistent since Collins’ injury, will certainly benefit from his return.
Looking ahead, the Texans are hopeful that Collins’ presence in Week 11, when they face off against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football, will be a catalyst for a more dynamic offense. Ryans emphasized the importance of Collins’ return, noting that he was one of the top receivers in the league before his injury. “Any time you get a starting receiver back and Nico, a guy who’s been—before he was out, he was the top receiver in the league. So, I think any time you get him back, it’s going to help everybody.”
The statistical evidence also supports this sentiment. When Collins is on the field, opposing defenses tend to back off from blitzing as much. According to Next Gen Stats, opponents have blitzed on 35.0% of dropbacks when Collins is not on the field, compared to just 23.8% when he is. Additionally, Stroud has been under pressure on 46.4% of his dropbacks without Collins, but only 33.8% of the time with him in the game.
The Texans’ offense has shown signs of promise at times this season, but they’ve also been plagued by second-half struggles. In the loss to the Lions, Houston failed to score a single point in the second half, allowing Detroit to mount a dramatic comeback. Ryans addressed these issues in his press conference, stressing that execution, not adjustments made by opposing defenses, has been the main issue.
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“A lot of people can focus on whatever adjustments defenses make, but it’s about us and our focus and our execution,” Ryans said. “It’s about the Texans and how we execute and how we operate. Right now, first half, we had some really good things that happened that weren’t all perfect, but in the second half, we didn’t execute the right way. We couldn’t get plays started. We got penalties, we got negative plays, we’re not blocking the right people on our assignments.”
Ryans’ message was clear: the Texans need to focus on their own execution if they want to win games and close out games more effectively. The second-half lulls have been one of the team’s most glaring issues, and improving their offensive rhythm after halftime is crucial to their success going forward.
With Collins expected to return soon, there’s hope that his presence will help the Texans address some of these second-half struggles. Having a reliable receiver who can make plays down the field could help take some of the pressure off Stroud and give the offense the balance it has been lacking. As the Texans gear up for a critical stretch of the season, getting Collins back into the lineup is key to their chances of making a playoff push.
Looking ahead to their Week 11 matchup with the Cowboys, the Texans will need to find ways to improve offensively if they are to keep pace with one of the NFL’s top teams. Collins’ return could be the spark they need to reignite their passing attack and get back on track after a tough stretch.
Ultimately, Collins’ return will be a significant factor in determining how the Texans finish the season. His ability to get back to form quickly will be crucial for both Stroud and the rest of the offense as they look to turn things around. With the right adjustments and continued focus on execution, the Texans have the potential to rebound and make a strong push for the postseason, but it will depend heavily on the health and performance of key players like Nico Collins.