When will Nico Collins be back? Latest on Texans WR's return timeline ahead of Week 11 clash vs Cowboys
The Houston Texans' star wide receiver Nico Collins has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 5. However, the wait for his return could soon be over, as the 25-year-old appears poised to make his highly anticipated comeback. It would come in the Texans' crucial Monday night matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, there is a "very real possibility" that Collins could return this week after being activated off injured reserve last Friday. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans echoed Rapoport's optimism, stating:
"Any time you get a starting receiver back and Nico, a guy who's been – before he was out, he was the top receiver in the league. I think any time you get him back, it's going to help everybody."
Nico Collins' potential return couldn't come at a better time for the Texans, who have struggled to maintain their early-season offensive momentum in his absence. As Rapoport noted, the impact of Collins' absence has been stark, with quarterback C.J. Stroud's numbers taking a significant dip.
"Nico Collins, who has been on injury reserve, was the NFL's leading receiver before his injury, feels like a million years ago," Rapoport said. "We all forget that they didn't make a big trade deadline acquisition. This would be their acquisition. Very real possibility that he comes back this week."
Nico Collins' return could reignite Houston's offense for playoff push
The Texans' struggles to finish games have also been a source of concern, with the team failing to score a single point in the second half of their recent loss to the Detroit Lions. DeMeco Ryans has emphasized the need for improved execution, and Nico Collins' return could be the catalyst to solve those late-game woes.
"A lot of people can focus on whatever adjustments defenses make, but it's about us and our focus and our execution and I'll continue to speak about that because that's the only thing that matters to me, is the Texans and how we execute and how we operate," Ryans said.
With the Texans still firmly in the playoff hunt, Nico Collins' potential comeback against the Cowboys could mark a turning point in their season.
His explosive playmaking ability boosts Stroud's performance and forces opponents to rethink their defensive strategies, potentially reducing blitz frequency and pressure on the young quarterback.