NFL

Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins faces injury uncertainty ahead of Bengals clash

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Sep 17, 2026, 18:38 IST

Star wide receiver Nico Collins is in doubt for the Houston Texans' Week 2 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals after sustaining a hamstring injury during Wednesday's practice session.

Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins faces injury uncertainty ahead of Bengals clash

The Houston Texans are facing a significant personnel concern ahead of their upcoming Week 2 encounter with the Cincinnati Bengals, as star wide receiver Nico Collins has emerged as a doubt for the game. The 27-year-old sustained a hamstring injury during Wednesday's practice session, casting uncertainty over his availability for the weekend.

According to reports, Collins underwent an evaluation with team medical staff following the training session. While initial assessments suggest the injury is not considered serious, his participation in Sunday’s game remains in jeopardy. The team's official injury report confirmed his limited status during Wednesday's practice as a result of the issue.

Impact on Texans offense

The potential absence of the six-year veteran would represent a substantial setback for the Houston offense. Collins has established himself as a focal point of the team's passing attack, having led the Texans in receiving yards for each of the past three seasons. His consistency has been a hallmark of his tenure, with the wideout surpassing the 1,000-yard mark in three consecutive campaigns.

Collins’ importance to the squad was underscored during the team's season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills. In that contest, he recorded team-high figures across the board, hauling in seven receptions on 10 targets for 75 yards and a touchdown. Losing such a productive target would complicate matters for the Texans as they prepare to face a Cincinnati defense that demonstrated significant pressure in their own season opener, forcing four turnovers and recording four sacks against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Depth concerns for Houston

The timing of the injury is particularly challenging for the Texans, who are already managing depth issues within their receiving corps. The team is currently without promising wide receiver Jayden Higgins, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to an ACL tear. Furthermore, Collins has a documented history with hamstring issues, having been placed on injured reserve during the 2024 season, a stint that forced him to miss five games.

As the Texans look to rebound from their opening defeat, the status of their primary receiving threat will be a critical storyline to monitor throughout the remainder of the week. The team is expected to provide further updates on his condition as they approach Sunday's kickoff.