The Texans are heading into Week 2 with a few things demanding attention, and the list starts with the health of Nico Collins.
Houston’s wide receiver room took a hit during Wednesday’s practice when Collins tweaked his hamstring and was limited. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the team does not think the injury is serious, but Collins’ availability for Sunday against the Bengals is still in question.
Texans WR Nico Collins injured his hamstring at Wednesday’s practice, met with doctors after and they “don’t believe it’s serious,” per source. Yet Collins’ status for Sunday’s game vs. the Bengals is in jeopardy. pic.twitter.com/Quo1m4C56H
If Collins can’t go, the Texans would be thin at receiver in a hurry. Jayden Higgins and Tank Dell are already out, which would leave Houston trying to piece together production from a very short list of options.
Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel, and Jared Wayne are the four receivers currently on the 53-man roster, and all of them could be asked to carry more of the load this week. A practice squad elevation also appears possible as Houston sorts through the week.
That puts a lot of pressure on an offense that needs to keep moving the chains. If Collins is unavailable, the Texans will have to find answers quickly.
The other major test comes on the other side of the ball, where Houston’s defense has to answer for what happened in Week 1.
Buffalo rolled up more than 400 yards and put up 36 points, something a DeMeco Ryans-led defense hasn’t allowed since 2023. For a unit that has been regarded as one of the NFL’s best, that was a rough opening statement.
Now the challenge shifts to Cincinnati, and the Bengals bring plenty of firepower of their own. Joe Burrow came out hot in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he still has Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at his disposal. He’s also working behind a much better offensive line than the one Houston saw when it faced Burrow in 2023.
That makes this another stiff early-season test for the Texans defense, and one that will show whether the group can get back to the level it’s expected to play at in 2025.
Then there’s David Montgomery, who gave Houston exactly what it needed in the opener.
Montgomery handled 20 carries for 60 yards and scored three touchdowns, becoming the first running back to score three times in a game since Joe Mixon in 2024.
COUNT 'EM 🗣️ That's three TDs for David Montgomery!BUFvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/iUc7FIoNID
His efficiency could have been better, but the production was there, and that matters most as Houston tries to build a more reliable run game. Last season, the Texans struggled badly on the ground and finished in the bottom half of the league in most rushing categories.
The hope this year is that Montgomery changes that picture. He was brought in to be the bellcow back, and he already looks like a central part of the plan.
Against Cincinnati, he should be in line for another heavy workload, especially if Collins is limited. For Houston’s offense, getting another strong outing from Montgomery would go a long way toward keeping drives alive.
In Other News...
Bengals May Have Found A Rookie Defensive Spark Already
For a defense that spent much of the offseason under scrutiny, the Bengals got an immediate jolt from a pair of rookies in their Week 1 win over Tampa Bay. Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. both played with the kind of urgency Cincinnati was hoping to see early, and their presence showed up in the kind of moments that can change a game, with the defense helping create four turnovers while holding the Buccaneers to 282 yards.
Zac Taylor was quick to note how confidently the two linebackers handled themselves and how much command they showed in the middle of the defense. For a team trying to stabilize that side of the ball, rookie contributions are one thing, but rookie contributions that translate into takeaways are another, and Cincinnati will be watching closely to see whether this opening-week spark can become something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Just Caught A Break Before A Tough Trip To Houston
Houston will be missing some of the familiar names that usually make it a difficult place to play, which gives Cincinnati a little extra breathing room heading into a road game that already carried plenty of weight. The Texans have ruled out wide receiver Nico Collins, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and starting guard Ed Ingram because of injuries, thinning out both sides of the ball as the Bengals prepare for another test away from home.
For Cincinnati, the timing matters because Joe Burrow was limited in practice with back tightness but is expected to play, keeping the offense on track for a trip that now looks a bit less daunting. Houston will have to sort out its lineup with Kayshon Boutte and Dalton Schultz expected to take on bigger roles, and the Bengals will be watching to see whether the absences up front and on the edge create an opening they can press early. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Rookie Cashius Howell Is Drawing The Kind Of Praise Fans Notice
Cashius Howell has already started to make a quiet impression in Cincinnati, and for a rookie trying to carve out a role on the defensive line, that matters. The Bengals edge rusher recently talked about how the jump from Bowling Green to Texas A&M was a major adjustment, which makes the move to the NFL feel like one more demanding step in a career built on climbing levels the hard way.
What stands out now is the early feedback from inside the locker room. Amarius Mims and Shemar Stewart have both offered favorable takes on Howells ability and work habits, the kind of praise that tends to travel quickly around a team and stick with fans who are watching for signs of which young players can help soon. For a Bengals defense looking to add more dependable pieces up front, Howells early reception is worth keeping an eye on. [Read more 🡒]