UPDATE: Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is trending towards missing the crucial playoff game against the New England Patriots on January 14, 2024. Collins, who suffered a concussion during Monday’s Wildcard victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, did not practice today, raising serious concerns about his availability for the Divisional round matchup.
According to DJ Bien-Aime, ESPN’s Texans correspondent, “Texans WR Nico Collins is not at practice today. That almost slams the door on him playing this week against the Patriots.” His absence would be a devastating blow for the Texans as they prepare for what could be a pivotal moment in their playoff run.
Collins is currently in the NFL’s concussion protocol and has until tomorrow to participate in practice. However, with the game just days away, the outlook does not look promising. C.J. Stroud, the Texans quarterback, has faced challenges in the past without Collins, holding a passer rating of just 85.9 in eight games without him, with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.
Stroud commented on the situation, expressing hope for Collins but also acknowledging the team’s depth: “We’ve had this experience before, played a couple of games this year without him. All our guys are talented; we have a lot of depth in that room.”
If Collins is unable to play, Stroud is likely to rely on wide receiver Christian Kirk, who emerged as a star in Pittsburgh, logging a career-high 144 yards and setting a franchise postseason record. Stroud praised Kirk, stating, “I think he’s one of the best in the league. For him to keep going week in and week out, prepping the right way, to see it pay off was really dope.”
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans also highlighted Kirk’s work ethic, saying, “He’s been grinding all season to be an impact player for us. I’m happy it worked out for him in one of our biggest games of the year.”
As the Texans finalize their game plan for the Patriots, all eyes will be on Collins and his potential return to practice tomorrow. Fans and teammates alike are hoping for a last-minute recovery, but preparations are already underway to adapt should he be ruled out.
Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops, and be prepared for an intense showdown on Sunday. The Texans are determined to keep their winning streak alive and advance further in the playoffs, but they will need all hands on deck to face a formidable Patriots team.
