Having already lost Tank Dell to a season-ending injury in Week 13, the Houston Texans can’t afford to be without another wide receiver. But Nico Collins went down with an injury on Sunday. What happened to Collins in Week 14, and what’s his current injury status?
Nico Collins Injury Update
Collins departed for the Texans’ locker room early in the first quarter of the Texans’ game against the New York Jets. While it’s unclear when Collins was injured, he is dealing with a calf issue.
Houston initially announced Collins was questionable to return to Sunday’s contest but subsequently ruled him out at halftime.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans didn’t offer an update on Collins’ status on Monday. However, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reported Collins is dealing with a strained calf.
“Losing Nico is tough,” Ryans said. “When you lose him, things change. You have to find a way. Other people have to step up.”
Collins’ injury is especially concerning because he already dealt with a thigh problem earlier this season, missing the Texans’ Week 10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The former third-round pick became the fourth Houston receiver to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards when he hauled in a 13-yard pass in the first quarter. Collins joined franchise icons Andre Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins, and Brandin Cooks as 1,000-yard Texans pass catchers.
Dell, Houston’s third-round pick this year, fractured his fibula in Week 13 and will miss the rest of his rookie campaign, leaving Collins as C.J. Stroud’s clear WR1.
With Collins in the locker room, Noah Brown and Robert Woods are the Texans’ top two receivers. 2022 second-round selection John Metchie III could see more looks, while rookie sixth-rounder Xavier Hutchinson may also be called on.
Fantasy Fallout From Collins’ Injury
With Dell already out and Collins sidelined, Brown’s target share stands to increase. That said, he is still an inexperienced option who has yet to see the type of coverage schemes that come with being the go-to option. But Houston will face a vulnerable Tennessee secondary twice in the next three weeks, putting Brown on the Flex radar.
Stroud’s value loses some steam, though he should still be considered on a fringe QB1. The most significant riser in terms of positional rankings figures to be Houston’s starting tight end. Dalton Schultz has missed consecutive games with a nagging hamstring injury, and Brevin Jordan has filled the void. The Texans’ TE1 will be a top-10 fantasy option next week, regardless of identity.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe