Nico Collins' Injury Hurts, But the Texans Will Be Fine
- Oct 9, 2024
- 3 min read
The Houston Texans received tough news today, as star wide receiver Nico Collins is set to miss a minimum of four weeks with a hamstring injury. This injury had appeared on the report before the Jaguars game, but Collins still suited up and delivered one of his best performances of the season, racking up 12 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, he re-aggravated the injury against the Buffalo Bills after catching a 67-yard touchdown pass from CJ Stroud and did not return. Despite that, the Texans pulled out a gutsy 23-20 win.
Losing Collins stings, but things may not be as bad as they seem. The fourth-year wideout currently leads the NFL in receiving yards with 567, and his chemistry with Stroud has been one of the league’s best stories this season. However, head coach DeMeco Ryans has a proven track record of prioritizing his players' long-term health, and this is another instance of Ryans thinking beyond the short term. Last season, we saw a similar approach when Collins was held out with a calf strain for two weeks, even when he was a game-time decision. This approach has paid dividends, and Ryans seems to be following the same strategy here.
Looking ahead, Collins will miss four games against the Patriots, Packers, Colts, and Jets. While it’s never ideal to be without your top receiver, the upcoming schedule offers some relief. The Patriots, tied for the worst record in the league, will be starting rookie quarterback Drake Maye against the Texans. And with Joe Mixon likely returning soon, perhaps even as early as the Packers game, the Texans' offense will have a much-needed boost in the run game, which has struggled in recent weeks.
Another reason for optimism is the opportunity this injury provides for others to step up. Xavier Hutchinson, Collins’ backup, is projected to take over the X receiver role. Though Hutchinson has had limited playing time this season, he showed flashes of potential in the preseason and last season and now has a chance to prove his worth. Tank Dell, who had an electrifying rookie season, could also use this stretch to find his footing and remind everyone of his big-play potential. And of course, Stefon Diggs, the Texans’ major offseason acquisition, will continue to shoulder more of the load in Collins' absence.
Perhaps one of the biggest potential factors in keeping the offense on track during this stretch will be the Texans' tight ends, a group that has been underutilized so far this season. Dalton Schultz and Cade Stover have shown themselves to be valuable assets in the passing game but simply haven’t been targeted enough. This could change with Collins out, as both tight ends can help fill the void in the passing attack. Schultz, in particular, has proven he can be a reliable safety valve for Stroud, while Stover has the size and ability to exploit mismatches over the middle.
Additionally, the Texans may even benefit from the way defenses start to approach them. With Collins out, teams may shift away from the two-high safety shells they've been using to prevent deep balls, which could open up more single-high safety looks and man coverage. This could create opportunities for Stroud and his receivers to make bigger plays downfield.
And let’s not forget about CJ Stroud’s scramble drill. Collins and Stroud had formed a lethal off-script connection this season, but Tank Dell showed last year that he and Stroud can thrive in the same scenarios. This could be the perfect chance for Dell to rekindle that connection.
In conclusion, while losing Collins for the next few weeks is unfortunate, Texans fans should take comfort in the fact that the team has depth and a favorable schedule. The return of Joe Mixon, an increased role for the tight ends, and the potential for younger receivers to step up should be more than enough to keep the offense afloat. DeMeco Ryans' focus on the long-term health of his players continues to be the right call, and the Texans are well-positioned to stay competitive during Collins' absence.
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