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While the current setback is a blow to the Texans' offensive plans, the team has noted that the injury is not as severe as the hamstring issue Collins sustained during the 2024 season. That previous injury resulted in a stint on injured reserve following Week 5, which forced him to miss five games. Following this weekend's contest, the receiver's next opportunity to return to the field will be in Week 4, when Houston hosts the Dallas Cowboys.
Offensive adjustments in the absence of a primary target
The Texans have faced notable challenges in finding the end zone while operating without their primary wideout. In the three games Collins has missed due to injury, the team has averaged just 16 points per contest. This offensive difficulty was highlighted during last week's 20-6 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals, a game in which quarterback C.J. Stroud managed 353 passing yards but failed to lead the team to a touchdown.
In the absence of their top receiver, the Texans have struggled to find consistent production from the rest of their wideout corps. Over the three games Collins has been unavailable, no receiver has managed to surpass 70 receiving yards, with only three players recording more than 55 yards in a single game. While tight end Dalton Schultz provided a significant boost against Cincinnati with 140 yards on 12 receptions, the remaining receiving group failed to produce more than 37 yards individually.
Looking for depth and a balanced attack
Heading into the game against the Colts, Houston will look for increased contributions from wide receivers Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel, Jared Wayne, and Kayshon Boutte. The coaching staff will be relying on these players to provide reliable targets for Stroud, particularly when the quarterback looks to attack the field outside the numbers.
Beyond the passing game, the Texans are also looking for a resurgence from their rushing attack. The ground game struggled to gain traction last week, with running backs Woody Marks and David Montgomery combining for only 18 yards on 14 carries. Improving this efficiency will be a priority for the Texans as they attempt to navigate their current injury challenges.
