Nico Collins, the Houston Texans' top wide receiver, will miss the pivotal divisional round game against the New England Patriots due to a concussion. Collins sustained the injury during the Texans' victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he recorded three receptions for 21 yards. He could not participate in practice all week while working through concussion protocols. During the regular season, Collins had an impressive 71 catches for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns, tying for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in franchise history.

By the Numbers
  • Collins recorded 71 catches for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns this season.
  • He ranks fifth in NFL playoff history with 91.8 receiving yards per game (minimum four games played).
State of Play
  • Without Collins, the Texans will rely on Jayden Higgins and Xavier Hutchinson, with Christian Kirk stepping up significantly.
  • The Patriots' defense just limited the Chargers to only three points in their wild card victory, presenting a strong challenge for C.J. Stroud.
What's Next

Going forward, the Texans will need to adjust their offensive strategy to compensate for Collins' absence, focusing on utilizing Kirk and other receivers against a formidable Patriots defense. C.J. Stroud's performance will be critical, especially given his previous success without Collins in the lineup.

Bottom Line

The loss of Nico Collins is a significant blow to the Texans as they face the Patriots. Adapting to the absence of their top receiver could determine their playoff fate, making it imperative for Stroud and the team to find effective ways to exploit the defense.