Nico Collins will miss the Houston Texans’ game Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals with a hamstring injury, and he is expected to miss next week’s game as well.
Collins has a Grade 1 hamstring strain that could keep him out two games, including the Week 3 trip to Indianapolis, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reported, citing a league source. Wilson called the situation fluid and noted that hamstrings are tricky.
The injury is not considered a long-term concern. After it happened, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that team doctors did not believe it was serious.
Collins was hurt Wednesday, in Houston’s first practice of the week. He was listed as limited that day, then sat out Thursday and Friday. The Texans ruled him out Friday.
The 27-year-old is a two-time Pro Bowler and quarterback C.J. Stroud’s top target.
In Week 1, he led the Texans in targets, receptions and receiving yards. He caught seven of 10 targets for 75 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The depth behind him was already thin.
Jayden Higgins, a 2025 second-round pick, tore his ACL in training camp. Tank Dell, a 2023 third-round pick, has not been available this season.
Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson and Kayshon Boutte become the top three receivers.
Noel is a second-year receiver from Iowa State whom Houston took in the third round in 2025. Hutchinson was a sixth-round pick in 2023.
Boutte arrived in a trade with the New England Patriots this summer. He caught one pass in the opener and has mainly been used as a deep threat.
Jared Wayne rounds out the group. Tight end Dalton Schultz could see a bigger share of the targets.
The injury list is long. Houston will also be without guard Ed Ingram (groin), edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney (knee) and linebacker Jake Hummel (groin).
Ingram was hurt in Thursday’s practice and could miss one to two weeks, according to Wilson.
Coach DeMeco Ryans’ defense allowed 36 points to Josh Allen and the Bills. Sunday it faces Joe Burrow, who is questionable with a back injury but expected to play, and receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium. Should Wilson’s timeline hold, Collins would miss the Week 3 game at Indianapolis and target a return in Week 4.
