Nico Collins in danger of missing Week 2 after injuring his hamstring at practice
The Houston Texans will need to put some points on the board if the team hopes to topple the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. But that task took an unexpected turn Wednesday as Houston's star wideout Nico Collins injured his hamstring in practice.
Collins, who was listed as limited on the team's practice report, is reportedly in jeopardy of missing Week 2 due to the issue, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Texans WR Nico Collins injured his hamstring at Wednesday's practice, met with doctors after and they don't believe it's serious," per source. Yet Collins' status for Sunday's game vs. the Bengals is in jeopardy. pic.twitter.com/Quo1m4C56H
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 17, 2026
Doctors reportedly "don't believe it's serious," per Schefter, even though Week 2 appears to be in question.
Collins, 27, turned in a strong performance in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, catching seven passes for 75 yards and a score. Over his career, he's been the primary target for Texans' quarterback C.J. Stroud. In his past three seasons, Collins has exceeded 1,000 receiving yards and has made two Pro Bowls.
While Collins has missed at least a game in every single one of his seasons since entering the NFL in 2021, he's never played in fewer than 10 games in a single year.
If Collins misses Sunday's game, however, the Texans could find themselves in a tough spot. After Jayden Higgins sustained a torn ACL in August, the Texans' depth at receiver was already in question. Without Collins, the team would need to lean heavily on newcomer Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel. That trio combined for six catches in the team's 36-31 loss to the Bills.
If there's a reason for optimism, the Bengals are also managing a worrisome injury coming into Week 2. Quarterback Joe Burrow is dealing with back tightness, though said Wednesday he was not missing Sunday's contest.
If fully healthy, Burrow and the Bengals should provide a significant challenge to the Texans' defense, especially after putting up 33 points in a Week 1 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Having Collins available would go a long way toward the Texans matching the Bengals' pace in Week 2. Without him, someone else will need to take a big step forward a carry the team on offense.