(This story was updated to add new information.)
Nico Collins’ All-Pro season has come to a halt.
The Houston Texans are placing the fourth-year receiver on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury, according to the team’s latest transaction list.
Collins will be out at least through Week 9 following the team’s road trip to New York. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport, the hope is Collins will be back sooner rather than later.
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During Monday’s press conference, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Collins was “in good spirits” after leaving Sunday’s victory over the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter.
When asked about a timeline, Ryans said the NFL’s leading receiver would be “week to week.”
“Of course, with the hamstring, it takes a couple weeks for hamstrings, so we’ll evaluate that on a week-to-week basis to see when we can get him back,” Ryans said.
Collins suffered the injury on his 67-yard touchdown catch from C.J. Stroud during the first quarter after helping Houston secure a 14-3. He did not return to the game.
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The loss of Collins is substantial to Houston’s passing game, even without his record-setting success. Three of Stroud’s seven touchdowns have come to Collins. In Sunday’s win without Collins, Houston managed to score just nine points.
“Nico has been the best receiver in the NFL this year,” Ryans said. “So, do you replace him? No. Everybody just steps up and whatever role you’re asked to do, just step up and play your role the proper way.
“There is one Nico, he’s done a great job of that. Now, whoever is next, when your number is called, make the plays that you are supposed to make.”
The Texans should feel content with their receiving corps, especially with the arrival of Stefon Diggs. He’s stepped up twice against both the Bills and Vikings, leading the Texans in receptions and receiving yards.
Houston also needs second-year receiver Tank Dell to step up in place of Collins. After finishing second in receiving yards for the Texans last year as a rookie, Dell’s been off to a slow start, totaling 13 catches for 137 yards.
“[I] definitely hope Nico is okay and we can get him back as soon as possible, but I definitely know that we have a lot of depth in that room,” Stroud said.
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Before leaving Sunday’s game, Collins led the league with 567 yards. He already broke DeAndre Hopkins’ 2018 record for the most receiving yards to begin a season in Texans’ history and was on pace to become the sixth player since 2000 to record 125-plus receiving yards and a touchdown in three consecutive home games.
Collins was also on pace for 2,000 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
As a corresponding move, the Texans signed tight end Teagan Quitoriano to the 53-man roster. Quitoriano was previously on the Bears practice squad after being cut after training camp.
Texans Wire will continue to update you with more information surrounding the plan in Collins’ absence.
