Texans Face Steep Challenge in Foxborough Without Nico Collins
After steamrolling the Steelers 30-6 in the Wild Card round, the Houston Texans are riding high into the Divisional Round. But Friday’s final injury report was a cold splash of reality for a team hoping to keep the momentum rolling. The Texans are banged up in key areas, and as they prepare to face a well-rested and healthy Patriots squad in Foxborough, the road ahead looks anything but smooth.
Let’s start with the headline: C.J. Stroud will likely be without his top target, Nico Collins - and that changes everything.
Life Without WR1
Collins has been stuck in concussion protocol all week, and after missing three straight practices, his status for Sunday is bleak. That’s a massive blow to a Texans offense that’s leaned heavily on the chemistry between Stroud and his go-to receiver. Collins wasn’t just piling up yardage (over 1,100 on the season), he was the safety valve - the guy Stroud trusted when the pocket broke down and the play needed saving.
Without him, the Texans will need someone to step up in a big way. Christian Kirk is the next man up, and while he looked sharp last week, the Patriots’ secondary - especially with Christian Gonzalez potentially back in the mix - is a different animal than the one Houston faced in Pittsburgh. Kirk will likely draw top coverage, which means Houston's younger receivers like Jayden Higgins and Xavier Hutchinson might be asked to grow up fast.
Offensive Line: Holding On By a Thread
There’s some good news up front: Trent Brown returned to practice Friday after missing two days with an ankle injury. That’s huge.
Brown’s presence at right tackle is critical if Houston wants to give Stroud any chance to operate against a Patriots pass rush that thrives on collapsing the pocket. If Brown’s healthy, that edge feels a little more secure.
But the interior? That’s a different story.
Tytus Howard (ankle) and Ed Ingram (shoulder) are both still limited, and that’s concerning. Playoff football is won in the trenches, and if the middle of the line can’t hold up, it could be a long day for Stroud.
New England’s front seven is healthy, physical, and built to exploit exactly this kind of vulnerability.
Defense: Autry Returns, But Questions Remain
There’s at least one major bright spot on the defensive side: Denico Autry is back at practice. That’s a game-changer.
If the Texans are going to disrupt rookie quarterback Drake Maye, Autry is the guy who can make it happen. His ability to generate pressure from multiple spots along the line gives Houston a much-needed edge.
But it’s not all good news. Azeez Al-Shaair and Kamari Lassiter are both still limited, dealing with knee and ankle issues, respectively.
That’s a concern, especially against a Patriots offense that loves to attack the middle of the field and test young secondaries with layered route concepts. If those two can’t play at close to full speed, it puts added stress on the rest of the defense - and against a creative New England game plan, that’s a risky spot to be in.
Depth Will Decide This One
This game won’t come down to star power - not with Collins likely out and the Texans’ offensive line held together with duct tape. It’s going to come down to depth.
Can Houston’s next wave of receivers create separation against a disciplined secondary? Can the offensive line hold up long enough for Stroud to work through his progressions?
Can the defense generate pressure without overcommitting and leaving gaps for Maye to exploit?
If the Texans can answer those questions with a “yes,” they’re not just a dangerous team - they’re a legitimate Super Bowl threat. But heading into Sunday, the injury report is a stark reminder of how fragile playoff hopes can be.
Houston still has the talent and the quarterback to make it interesting. But they’ll need every bit of resilience - and a few breakout performances - to survive a trip to Foxborough.