Defense has been the Houston Texans’ strength all season, but with CJ Stroud throwing the ball to a deep group of wide receivers, Demeco Ryans also put up solid offensive production late in the 2025 season.
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Stroud shared the ball with a variety of receivers, but no player generated more offense for Houston than Nico Collins. The fifth-year star recorded his third consecutive 1,000-yard season, being Stroud’s preferred target all season.
However, in Monday’s wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Collins was carted off the field in the fourth quarter, leaving Stroud with a limited set of weapons to work with.
Here’s the latest on Collins’ injury and how it affects the Texans’ wide receiver room.
FURTHER: How CJ Stroud fumbled three times against the Steelers
Nico Collins injury update
The offense was tough to find in Pittsburgh on Monday night, but some Texans receivers saw significant work. Christian Kirk led the team with over 100 yards, while Collins had three receptions for 21 yards on a rare quiet night.
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In the fourth quarter, Collins was attacked by Stroud and reached for him with a defender tied behind him. When the receiver fell to the ground, his helmet hit him first.
Collins immediately grabbed his helmet/head area and exited the game.
Collins was taken to the locker room on a cart and was seen with a towel over his head. The Texans ruled him out shortly after with a concussion.
What happened to Nico Collins?
Collins left Monday’s playoff game between the Texans and Steelers with a head injury, which Houston called a concussion.
The star receiver slammed his helmet on the ground after reaching out to try to make a catch, immediately grabbing his head area after the play. Collins was then taken back to the locker room.
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FURTHER: The Steelers offense continues to struggle in the first quarter against the Texans.
Texans WR depth chart
|
Range |
Player |
|
1 |
Nico Collins (questionable) |
|
2 |
Jayden Higgins |
|
3 |
Xavier Hutchinson |
|
4 |
Jaylin Noel |
|
5 |
Christian Kirk |
The Texans spread the ball around their offense a lot, meaning many different receivers often see the ball. That was certainly the case in Monday’s wild-card game: Veteran receiver Christian Kirk surpassed the 100-yard mark with a touchdown after totaling just 239 yards in the regular season.
Collins is the true WR1 in Houston, but the team has a collection of young receivers who have impressed at various points. Rookie Jayden Higgins had 525 yards and six touchdowns in his first NFL season, while Xavier Hutchinson had 428 yards.
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If the Texans advance to the divisional round and Collins can’t play, Stroud would turn to Higgins, Hutchinson, Kirk and Jaylin Noel to make plays, as well as tight end Dalton Schultz.