The Texans are finally about to get one of their biggest weapons back.
Nico Collins is expected to return Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, after missing the last two games with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. Houston had already listed Collins on its final injury report for Week 4, and the signs kept pointing in the right direction as the week went on.
Collins got back on the field Wednesday in a limited role, stayed limited Thursday, then upgraded to a full practice Friday. That’s the kind of progression Houston needed to see after the receiver was sidelined ahead of the Week 2 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Texans felt his absence immediately. They dropped both games he missed, falling to the Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts, and the offense never found the same rhythm without one of its top playmakers. Houston managed only six points against Cincinnati and 17 against Indianapolis.
For a 0-3 team searching for any spark, Collins’ return lands at the right time. The Texans are heading into a matchup with a Cowboys secondary that has had its own issues, though the addition of Joey Porter Jr. by Dallas adds another wrinkle for Houston’s receivers.
C.J. Stroud made clear this week that Collins changes the equation.
“I think getting Nico back is going to be helpful,” Stroud said while addressing what could change in the offense in his media availability on Wednesday after Collins resumed practice. “I think just using our guys that we have the right way.
“And I think just being explosive with the ball in your hands, if that's running the ball, if that's getting a short pass and making rack or yak, whatever you want to call it. But you just make sure that when we get the ball in our hands, we're making plays and extending. And it's my job to distribute it.”
Houston is trying to grab its first win of the 2026 season on Sunday and avoid making the climb even steeper. A loss to Dallas would only make the Texans’ path to playoff football harder from here.
In Other News...
Tony Romos Next Move Could Reopen A Cowboys Debate
Tony Romos split with CBS Sports leaves one of the leagues most recognizable voices back in the mix, even if his next step is still unclear. The move came after a July arrest, and Romo has said he plans to focus on his health and family before making any decision about what comes next. CBS has already settled on J.J. Watt as its lead analyst alongside Jim Nantz, so Romos path now shifts away from the booth and into whatever comes next off the air.
For Cowboys fans, the more interesting wrinkle is where this could lead in Dallas. Romo has long remained tied to the franchise that made him a household name, and any conversation about his future inevitably brings up the possibility of a front-office or advisory role. There is no official confirmation of anything along those lines, but if Romo does circle back to the Cowboys, it would reopen a familiar debate about how much the team should lean on a former quarterback whose influence still resonates around the organization. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Pulled Off A Comeback But Two Problems Still Loom
The Cowboys had to claw their way back against Houston, but they found enough late offense to leave Week 4 with a 34-30 win after a slow start and a brief stumble after losing the lead. The ending was the kind of response Dallas has been looking for, with the offense delivering a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter to finish off a game that never came easy.
CeeDee Lamb was the headliner, setting a franchise record with 17 catches for 189 yards and a touchdown, while Rashan Gary and Quinnen Williams each added sacks on the other side of the ball. Even with the win, the bigger picture was harder to ignore: the rushing attack never really got going, and the cornerback play was uneven enough to keep some questions alive despite the comeback. [Read more 🡒]
Dak Prescott Suddenly Gives Cowboys Fans A Short-Week Concern
Dak Prescott left the Week 4 game against the Houston Texans with his right hand wrapped, a small detail that immediately caught the eye of Cowboys fans coming off a physical divisional-style matchup. Prescott said he was stepped on and is dealing with swelling, though he described himself as otherwise fine, which at least offered some early reassurance after a game that gave Dallas plenty to sort through.
The timing is what makes it worth watching. The Cowboys are headed into a short week before their Week 5 game, and the first official injury report coming Monday should offer a clearer picture of whether this is just a postgame inconvenience or something the team needs to monitor closely as it prepares for the next round. [Read more 🡒]