The Houston Texans may be close to getting their top receiver back at just the right time.
Nico Collins, sidelined for the past two weeks with a lingering hamstring injury, sounded upbeat Thursday about playing Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. The Texans have been missing one of C.J. Stroud’s favorite targets since Collins suffered a reported grade 1 hamstring strain in practice before Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, and Houston’s offense has felt the absence.
That matters even more now with the Texans sitting at 0-3 heading into Week 4. Another week without Collins would leave Houston leaning on an offense that has already taken a hit.
The encouraging signs kept building Thursday, when Collins was a limited participant for the second straight practice. Then came the quotes that made his return feel close to real.
"Doing my maintenance rehab, it's all about how you feel," Collins said ahead of Week 4, via KPRC2's Aaron Wilson. "I know what I gotta do on the field on Sundays. I know what the team needs me to do, so it's all about how I'm feeling, and what I need to do to execute and play an entire game."
"I'm glad I'm back on that field now. So, stuff in the past.
It is what it is, over with. I'm back now, and I'm ready to play this week."
Collins opened the season with a strong Week 1 performance against the Buffalo Bills, finishing with seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. Since then, he has been stuck on the sideline after the practice injury, something he clearly wasn’t happy about.
"It's always hard to miss games. You don't want to be out there on the sideline.
You want to be out there with your brothers," Collins continued. "When you know how much time you've put in... you want to go out there and execute and have fun.
But, stuff be unfortunate sometimes. Got to take it on the chin like a man and keep stepping."
If Collins does suit up, he may run into a familiar face on the other side. Joey Porter Jr. could be making his official Cowboys debut after being shipped out from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, and Collins already knows what kind of challenge that brings.
The two matched up in Houston’s latest Wild Card win over the Steelers, and Collins was held to just three total catches. He made it clear he remembers the talent.
"Yeah, yeah, he's a great corner, man," Collins said on Porter Jr. "You know, everybody's great in this league, man. That's a big pick up for them."
Even with that matchup waiting, Collins didn’t sound the least bit hesitant about getting back on the field.
"I'm excited with any matchup, man. I feel like anytime I step on that field, my teammates, man, and run through that ton of that tunnel with that 12 on my back, man.
Nothing's against you. There's no better feeling than that"
His game status will be clarified after Friday’s final practice, when the Texans release their official injury report. Still, the tone coming from Collins points toward a return, and Houston could use the boost.
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