Nico

Collins

Collins, who sustained a head injury in the Wild Card round against the Steelers, did not practice this week and was ruled out on Friday. It’s a massive blow to the Houston offense. Christian Kirk, who had 144 yards and a score last week against Pittsburgh, will profile as the team’s top receiver with Collins out. Brown tried to play but was unable to fight through an ankle injury.

Collins was unable to practice throughout the week. Texans slot WR Christian Kirk operated as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver last week, and is likely the best bet to do so again against the Patriots. It is an unfortunate development for Collins, who also missed his team’s Week 8 game against the 49ers due to concussion. Texans rookie WRs, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, have a chance to rise to the occasion.

The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander believes Collins is “a long shot” to play on Sunday against the Patriots, given “the steps he must clear.” Unfortunately, he might be right. Collins still has time to advance through the NFL’s five-phase concussion protocol, but another absence at tomorrow’s practice would be discouraging. Veteran slot WR Christian Kirk stepped up last week, catching 8-of-9 targets for 144 yards and one touchdown in the Texans’ Wild Card win over the Steelers. We expect him to operate as the team’s top target earner if Collins cannot play.

Collins’ head slammed into the ground during the third quarter of the Texans’ Wild Card Round win over the Steelers. He rode a cart to the locker room, did not return, and has since entered concussion protocol. Assuming he doesn’t make a late appearance at practice today, Collins looks unlikely to suit up for the Divisional Round. Christian Kirk erupted for 144 yards and a touchdown on eight grabs last week. He is in line for WR1 duties if Nico is ruled out.

Collins was unable to brace himself as he went to the ground on a catch attempt at the end of the third quarter, appearing to contact the frozen ground with the forehead area of his helmet. Clearly disoriented following the play, Collins had to be redirected towards the sideline after attempting to rejoin the huddle. He would then be seen hunched over on the sideline before even making it into the medical tent. Collins was eventually carted to the locker room with a towel over his head for further evaluation. It certainly appears as if his night is over after catching just 3-of-7 targets for 21 yards.

Collins will be rested for the playoffs with the Texans having already cemented a spot. Also inactive for the Texans are CB Kamari Lassiter, LB Jamal Hill, T Trent Brown, WR Braxton Berrios, RB Nick Chubb and QB Graham Mertz. Chubb’s healthy scratch means Jawhar Jordan will continue to see plenty of work behind Woody Marks.

The Texans could still win the AFC South with a win and a Jacksonville loss today, but the Jags face the lowly Titans. That all but guarantees them the AFC South crown, relegating Houston to a road playoff game. With little to play for, Collins will get the week off. As Slater notes, this will also give the Texans a better look at their rookie wideouts, Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins. Both players are now solid FLEX options for fantasy managers still setting lineups this week.

Collins had three major plays, one of which was a 24-yard sideline catch in double coverage to end the game at the two-minute warning. The other two were questionable DPI calls he drew, one to set the Texans up on first-and-goal, and another to bail them out of third-and-long early on the final drive. He lost a few catches to an inaccurate C.J. Stroud and the Texans only advanced to the red zone once to let him play bully ball. He’ll be on the low-end WR1 line against the Chargers in Week 17.

He kicked off Houston’s offense by housing a middle-of-the-field target for 57 yards on their second play from scrimmage, then added a late touchdown in the fourth quarter on a goal-to-go target over the middle. Letting Nico Collins feast over the middle of the field, as it turns out, a good idea. It’s his first two-score game since last year’s Week 15 win over the Dolphins. Collins will be a WR1 in Week 16 against the Raiders.

Collins broke free early for a 46-yard gain up the seam against Trent McDuffie coverage, the latter of whom would be injured on the play and miss the remainder of the game. The talented veteran added catches of 53 yards, 18 yards, and four yards before the break but would be blanked in the second half with the team nursing a lead throughout. Collins now has consecutive games of 98 yards or more through the air with C.J. Stroud under center, something he had not done against all opponents other than the Jaguars this season. The Texans now prepare for one of the worst defenses in the league in the Cardinals in Week 15.