Nico Collins put Texans fans at ease with a simple explanation for why he was limited during June’s minicamp: there wasn’t an injury issue behind it.
Houston’s top wide receiver said the coaching staff and front office made the call to hold him back during the team’s brief OTAs and mandatory minicamp period, with the goal of having him ready for training camp. Collins said he had no problem going along with it.
"Not at all," Collins said of whether he was dealing with an injury in June. "They just did that.
I listened to the coaches, listened to the GM, saying 'Yes sir.' And they told me to be ready for camp.
Yes sir."
That should calm any early concern from fans who noticed their No. 1 offensive weapon wasn’t a full participant on the field. For a player as important as Collins, even a limited practice stretch can raise eyebrows, but his comments make clear there was nothing more serious going on.
And Collins remains central to what Houston wants to do through the air. He’s been C.J.
Stroud’s most reliable target over the past three seasons, and last year he delivered another strong campaign despite playing in only 15 games. Collins finished with 71 catches on a career-high 120 targets for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns, marking his third straight 1,000-yard season.
The gap between Collins and the rest of the Texans’ receiving production was noticeable. Tight end Dalton Schultz was next on the team with 777 receiving yards, while Jayden Higgins followed with 525.
Houston does appear to have more help around Collins this season. Higgins and Jaylin Noel are expected to take on bigger roles, Tank Dell is set to return to full health, and Xavier Hutchinson will be back in the mix after his career-best season in 2025.
Still, the Texans’ passing game can only go as far as Collins takes it. With camp approaching later this month, he looks ready to resume his place at the top of the receiver room.
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Analyst Sees Texans Silencing Doubters Again In 2026
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