Nico Collins’ status for Sunday night’s matchup against the Detroit Lions seems to be trending in the wrong direction.
The Houston Texans‘ fourth-year receiver did not practice for the second consecutive day during Thursday’s open period. He also hasn’t been activated from the injured reserve list, which isn’t ideal for a Houston roster in need of a secondary target for C.J. Stroud.
With Nico Collins still not practicing today and not designated to return from IR, it makes him a long shot to play Sunday night vs. the Lions. https://t.co/JxBP6D46le
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 7, 2024
Players who don’t practice the first two days of the week usually are ruled out for Sunday’s matchup. Collins, who led the NFL in receiving yards with 567 before being placed on the injured reserve list following a win over the Buffalo Bills, is probable to sit this one out in the debut of the new Battle Red uniforms.
It’s not impossible for a player for a player to miss two days of practice and then return for gameday. Defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi didn’t practice until Friday’s walkthrough before the Texans’ Week 7 matchup against the Green Bay Packers after dealing with a shoulder injury.
Tight end Dalton Schultz played after an ankle injury sidelined him for two days prior to Week 2’s primetime matchup against the Chicago Bears.
Both practiced on Friday, however, giving them a chance to show up on the injury report as “questionable.” Friday will be perhaps the most crucial day for evaluation.
Slight improvement for some defensive line depth. The #Texans will need it with Will Anderson trending to not playing.
Nico Collins is of course not listed because he is on injured reserve and not been designated for return. pic.twitter.com/MoZSn9poNj
— Cody Stoots (@Cody_Stoots) November 7, 2024
If Collins is activated off the IR, there’s a chance, even if he’s limited in walkthroughs, that he could play. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Ryans was “doing good,” but his status would be monitored throughout the week.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.
