The hit keep on coming for the Houston Texans and this might be the biggest in 2026.
According to reports, Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins will undergo testing after dealing with a hamstring injury ahead of Week 2's matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Houston's top weapon was at practice but was limited in drills during Wednesday's open session.
The fact that Collins was out on the field is promising, since he could at least run through minor drills, but hamstring injuries are no laughing matter. The timeline for recovery isn't, either, as some injuries could last for as long as several weeks if not months.
And Collins, who finished with a team-leading seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 36-31 loss to the Buffalo
Bills, has been hindered by hamstring woes in the past. Collins missed five weeks in 2024 with a hamstring injury he suffered in a game against Buffalo that required a stint on the injured reserve.
As a player, Collins is a monster in the passing attack. Considered a top-10 weapon in the league, he’s been the Texans' most reliable target when he hasn’t been dealing with injuries throughout his six-year career.
#Texans to have tests done on Nico Collins' hamstring, per league source. Severity of injury still being determined https://t.co/fqOntR26Ed
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 16, 2026
Right now, the Texans can't afford to lose Collins. They've already lost No. 2 target Jayden Higgins to a torn ACL for the season and other weapons are still getting acclimated to the offense under Nick Caley. Should he miss Sunday's game, Houston would need newcomer Kayshon Boutte to step up as the face of the offense.
In Sunday's loss, he had one catch for 21 yards.
“He knows how to get open," Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said on Wednesday. "I know we didn't connect on a couple of them, but we're still building that chemistry, but he knows how to get open and play fast.”
Should Boutte struggle, the Texans could turn to Jaylin Noel. The second-year product out of Iowa State was limited in his role on Sunday, he ended up catching two passes for 53 yards, averaging over 26 yards per catch.
“I thought he did great. I think he's growing, he's learning how to run routes and to be friendly to the quarterback," Stroud said of Noel's outing. "I think his speed, of course, but he's learning how to use his speed and when not to and his pace. I think he's doing a great job.”
Kickoff for Sunday is scheduled for Noon.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans WR Nico Collins dealing with hamstring injury ahead of Week 2 matchup vs. Bengals
