Houston Texans fans received some good news on Tuesday with the team announcing star receiver Nico Collins is set to return.
#Texans HC DeMeco Ryans said that WR Nico Collins will practice this week.
The expectation is that he will be back for MNF against the Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/ex92jfE4qy
— Nick Schwager (@NickSchwagerNFL) November 12, 2024
Talking to reporters, head coach DeMeco Ryans said Collins would return to practice after suffering a hamstring injury in the Week 5 win over Buffalo, one that has seen him sidelined for five straight games.
Collins, who is on track to start Monday’s game in Dallas, was one of the top receivers in the league before his injury – reeling in 32 passes for over 500 yards and three touchdowns.
With the Texans looking to snap a two-game skid, there’s no question Collins’ inclusion helps immensely with the offense struggling to score points, particularly in the second half.
“Any time to get a starting receiver back, in Nico, a guy who before he was out, was the top receiver in the league. Any time you get him back, it’s going to help everybody,” Ryans said on Tuesday.
Protection has proven a huge issue for Houston this season. CJ Stroud ranks second in the league in sacks with his coach saying the offense needs to do a much better job after blowing a healthy lead to Detroit last Sunday.
Collins’ return won’t help out a struggling offensive line, but he should provide Stroud with another go-to option on short yardage situations, and at the very least, a reliable target in the screen game.
The Texans are set to start heavy favourites against a Cowboys side dealing with its own problems on and off the field, but after recording five sacks in last week’s loss to the Eagles, Dallas’ pass rush still presents some serious challenges.
