The Houston Texans passing offense has had a great start to the 2024 season, thanks to C.J. Stroud and their talented receiving corps through their first five games. The Texans passing attack is ranked 2nd in receptions, 1st in passing yards, 12th in touchdowns, and 1st in passing first downs. Their top three receivers include Nico Collins with 32 receptions for 567 yards and three touchdowns, Stefon Diggs with 31 receptions for 315 yards and two touchdowns, and Dare Ogunbowale with 15 receptions for 155 yards and one touchdown.
Unfortunately, their elite offensive weapon suffered an injury in their last game
The Houston Texans’ leading receiver suffered a concerning lower-leg injury
Nico Collins suffered an apparent hamstring injury after scoring a 67-yard receiving touchdown in the first quarter of Week 5. Collins didn’t return for the remainder of the game and finished the day with two receptions for 78 yards and one touchdown. DeMeco Ryans told reporters on Monday that his injury is considered “week-to-week.”
“Nico, he’s in good spirits,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said in his Monday media availability. “Of course, with the hamstring, it takes a couple weeks for a hamstring, so we’ll evaluate that on a week-to-week basis to see where we can get him.”
SIXTY-SEVEN YARD TD!
CJ connects with Nico for 6
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/iuGa0cNpzr— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 6, 2024
The Houston Texans are wisely playing it safe
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Texans will not have their elite receiver for at least the next four weeks since the team placed Nico Collins on injured reserve on Wednesday. The Texans play on the road against the New England Patriots in Week 6, on the road against the Green Bay Packers in Week 7, at home against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8, and on the road against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football in Week 9. The earliest Collins can play is Week 10, when they play against the Detroit Lions.
The #Texans have placed WR Nico Collins, the NFL’s leading receiver on Injured Reserve. He’s out four games.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 9, 2024
Who replaces him in the starting rotation?
The Houston Texans will probably have second-year receiver Xavier Hutchinson replace Nico Collins in the starting rotation. After barely playing as a rookie, Hutchinson saw extended playing time last week. He played 48 (71%) offensive snaps and had two receptions for 31 yards. He has a chance to make a good first impression as a starter in this league.
Expect Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell to get most of the wide receiver targets with Collins out. Don’t be surprised if Robert Woods and John Metchie III get more playing time. Not having their leading receiver will negatively impact their offense but they have a few reliable veteran options.