The Texans are headed into Sunday’s matchup with Cincinnati missing some major pieces, and the injury report only sharpens the challenge.
Houston ruled out Nico Collins after the wide receiver picked up a hamstring injury in Wednesday’s practice. Collins had been the clear focal point of the offense, and his absence changes the shape of the passing game.
In Week 1 against Buffalo, he finished with seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown before the hamstring issue surfaced. He had an MRI and could return soon, but he won’t be available against the Bengals.
The Texans will also be without Jadeveon Clowney, who is out with a knee injury, and starting guard Ed Ingram, who is sidelined with a groin injury. With Ingram unavailable, Wyatt Teller is set to start at guard.
That leaves Houston trying to absorb the losses while still finding ways to create pressure on Joe Burrow. Even without Clowney, the Texans still have Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. up front.
On offense, Collins’ absence should push more work toward Kayshon Boutte, while Dalton Schultz is also expected to see more targets.
Cincinnati comes in trying to move to 2-0 for the second straight season, and the road trip to Houston looks like one of the tougher assignments on its schedule. The Bengals may have a chance to take advantage if the Texans’ injury situation makes life harder on both sides of the ball.
There was some concern around Burrow as well. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday because of back tightness, then returned as a full participant on Friday and remained listed as questionable on the game status report. Even so, Burrow said he plans to play.
“I’ll do what it takes to be out there. If I’m not having surgery, I’ll be out there,” he said. "We get a lot of mental reps, and we walk through a lot of plays, so I'll be all right."
He also explained how those reps help.
"It's very similar," Burrow said Wednesday. "You're not dropping back full-speed and throwing it, but you're still figuring out where the ball goes, calling the play, getting in and out of huddles. So we'll be ready to go."
Burrow completed 25-of-35 passes for 254 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Cincinnati's Week 1 win over Tampa Bay, and after Friday’s full session, he’ll be on the field against the Texans.
“I feel good,” Burrow said. "Some normal game day soreness, that's for sure. But I'll be alright."
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 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 🡒]
Rival GM Just Gave Bengals Fans New Ammo In The O-Line Debate
For a unit that has been under the microscope in Cincinnati for years, the Bengals offensive line just got an unexpected dose of validation from outside the building. Texans general manager Nick Caserio praised the group by name, pointing to Orlando Brown Jr., Amarius Mims, Ted Karras, Dylan Fairchild and Dalton Risner while pushing back on the idea that the line is as shaky as some of the public narrative suggests.
Caserios comments land with a little extra weight because they come from a rival evaluator who has to prepare to face the Bengals, not defend them. His view also fits the broader statistical picture of a line that has done a better job of keeping Joe Burrow upright, even as the conversation around the unit often stays stuck on its worst moments. The next test comes soon enough, and it will be the Texans defensive front that gets the first real chance to challenge all that talk. [Read more 🡒]