The Houston Texans’ 0-2 start has already put a spotlight on the offense, and Nico Collins’ hamstring injury has only sharpened it.
Collins missed Sunday’s 20-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals after suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain during the week of practice. Without their top receiver, the Texans’ attack looked a lot like the unit that gave them problems last season: uneven, stalled, and unable to finish.
Houston did move the ball at times, but the drives kept dying before they mattered. The Texans went 0-for-4 in the red zone and finished 5-for-17 on third down.
They actually outgained Cincinnati by 107 yards, but that advantage never turned into points. The biggest issue was the ground game, or lack of one.
Houston got just 18 rushing yards from its running backs, which left C.J. Stroud throwing 55 passes and allowed the Bengals to tighten up on the Texans’ passing game when the field shrank near the goal line.
Stroud was also missing his most dependable target. Collins led Houston in Week 1 with 75 receiving yards, and the Texans’ offense clearly felt his absence against Cincinnati.
For now, there still isn’t a clear timetable for his return. Head coach DeMeco Ryans said he is “still seeing how [Collins] progresses with his recovery.”
Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reported that Collins is not currently expected to play in Houston’s Week 3 divisional game against the Indianapolis Colts.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Collins has led the Texans in receiving each of the past three seasons. His 6’4” frame, speed, and contested-catch ability make him a major red-zone threat, and Houston had none of that on Sunday. If the Texans are going to keep this season from slipping into another slow offensive grind, getting Collins back healthy matters in a big way.
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Texans Get Needed C.J. Stroud Relief After Scary Week 2 Scene
A postgame limp from C.J. Stroud had enough Texans fans holding their breath after Houstons Week 2 loss to Cincinnati, especially with the quarterback taking a beating while trying to keep the offense moving. Stroud later cleared up the concern, saying the discomfort was normal soreness rather than something more serious, a welcome bit of news after he still managed to finish the game.
For a team staring at an 0-2 start, any hint of trouble around Stroud would have only added to the pressure. Instead, Houston gets some reassurance that its quarterback is not dealing with a significant injury, leaving the Texans focused on fixing the rest of what went wrong while hoping their franchise passer is ready to keep carrying the load. [Read more 🡒]
C.J. Stroud Just Put Houston's Biggest Early Problem In Focus
C.J. Stroud did not hide from what stood out in Houstons 6-20 loss to the Bengals in Week 2 of the 2026 season: the Texans were short on answers when Nico Collins was unavailable, and the offense had trouble finding any rhythm behind him. Stroud pointed to the strain on third downs, the lack of consistency in the running game and a Cincinnati defense that controlled plenty of the evening, all while Houston slipped to 0-2.
For a Texans team trying to settle in early, the bigger issue is less about one bad Sunday than the way the same problems keep showing up in different spots. Stroud said the group has to be better in the run game and in short-yardage situations, and he still sounded confident the offense can clean things up, even if the start has made the margin for error awfully thin. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Have A Growing Jaylin Noel Problem They Cant Ignore
With Nico Collins sidelined in the Week 2 loss to Cincinnati, the Texans were looking for any kind of spark on offense, and Jaylin Noel provided one in a limited role. The second-year receiver turned three catches into 84 yards, flashing the kind of burst and route-running that can change the feel of a drive in a hurry.
DeMeco Ryans acknowledged the growth Noel has shown and hinted that his involvement could expand, which only adds to the intrigue for a Houston offense still searching for reliable answers. The wrinkle, of course, is Collins' eventual return, and how the Texans balance getting their top target back while also making sure Noel's momentum does not get buried on the depth chart. [Read more 🡒]