Nico Collins

Houston Texans
Wide Receiver #12

Nico Collins News RotoBaller

Nico Collins Is a Strong WR1 in London

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is getting some help in the team's pass-catching corps, with Marvin Harrison Jr. added via trade and Tank Dell (knee) nearing a return. Even with more options in the passing game, though, Collins remains a strong WR1 as RotoBaller's No. 6 WR in Week 6. He and the Texans will take on the Jaguars in a divisional matchup in London early on Sunday morning, as they look to win a second straight game after getting their first win of the season last week over the Titans, 26-3. Collins had a quiet five catches for 56 yards in that contest, but he was much better in Week 4 with seven catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas. He has elite upside and almost always gets heavy volume with plenty of chances to make plays. The Jaguars have been a top-10 matchup for wide receivers this year, and Collins has at least seven catches and at least 100 receiving yards in each of his last five games against his division foe.

Oct 17, 2026 2:34 AM EST


Nico Collins Remains an Elite Option Against the Titans

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins returned from his hamstring injury last week against the Cowboys and showed he is still the best option in the team's passing game. Collins only played 69% of snaps in Week 4 against Dallas, but led the team with eight targets and caught seven of those passes for 118 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Collins has been outstanding in each of the two games he has been available, and this week, he gets a great matchup against the Titans, who have struggled to cover top outside receivers this season. Collins is the No. 6 WR in RotoBaller's Week 5 rankings and can be started confidently in all formats since he is such a focal point of the team's offense and should be ready for even more work after his successful return last week.

Oct 10, 2026 3:41 AM EST



Nico Collins Crushes Expectations With Monster Game In Return

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins absolutely dominated in fantasy football in Week 4, catching seven of his eight targets for 118 yards and two touchdowns. The only negative of his day was that he wasn't targeted more, as he was extremely productive and efficient in a game that turned into a shootout. Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley is a major cap to Collins' ceiling -- his day could have been much bigger if the offense was force-feeding him the ball. But Caley ensures the ball is spread around to the likes of TE Dalton Schultz and WRs Xavier Hutchinson and Kayshon Boutte rather than hyper-targeting his most explosive playmakers. The results show in the final score, which was another loss for Houston. Their offense looked better than usual against a weak Cowboys defense. Collins was still absolutely dominant, and should continue to be so moving forward, but his production last week was unsustainable long-term on such a paltry amount of targets, considering Collins' talent and the game script. He's still a must-start fantasy WR1 for Week 5, when the Texans will take on the struggling Tennessee Titans.

Oct 4, 2026 9:58 PM EST


Nico Collins Is a Top-10 Option in His Return

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is ready to return after a two-week absence, and he should step right back into a big role in his team's offense. The 0-3 Texans will need to go all out to beat the Cowboys in Houston, so look for them to be aggressive and get Collins plenty of chances to make plays. In Week 1, before the injury, Collins caught seven of his 10 targets for 75 yards and a touchdown against the Bills. While other players contributed while he was gone, none stepped up and became the go-to option. Collins should slide right back into that featured role against the Cowboys, who have allowed three WR touchdowns in the last two weeks and over 120 yards to the position in each of their three games this year. They added Joey Porter Jr. to the secondary this week, but it's still a favorable matchup for Collins, who ranks as the WR9 in RotoBaller's Week 4 rankings. You can start with confidence in all formats as he returns from injury.

Oct 3, 2026 4:37 AM EST


Nico Collins Off the Injury Report, Good to Go for Week 4

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is off the injury report and will play in his team's Week 4 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, per DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. Collins has missed Houston's last two games with a hamstring injury, but he practiced in full on Friday and is set to return against Dallas. The 27-year-old played well in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, recording seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. Collins was also very productive when healthy in 2025, hauling in 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns on 120 targets across 15 games. Now that he's active, Collins profiles as the clear number one option in the Houston passing game and should be considered a must-start wide receiver for fantasy managers in a favorable matchup against Dallas.

Oct 2, 2026 12:13 PM EST



Jaylin Noel Could See Minimal Role with Nico Collins Set to Return

Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel has been quiet to start his second season and could see a reduced role moving forward. In three games, Noel has caught five of nine targets for 101 yards and added 21 rushing yards on two carries. The second-year receiver has played just 38% of snaps and 42% of routes, and ranks fifth among Texans pass catchers in targets. With star wideout Nico Collins (hamstring) set to return, Noel could see a minimal role in Week 4. Also worth noting, Tank Dell (knee) is nearing a return from injured reserve after a significant injury sustained during the 2024 season. Given the crowded Texans receiving corps and Noel's limited role, he should be safely dropped in most fantasy leagues.

Oct 2, 2026 8:20 AM EST


Nico Collins Practicing Once Again on Friday

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is in uniform for Friday's practice as the team prepares to face the Dallas Cowboys. After missing the last two games with a hamstring strain, Collins has practiced all three days this week and appears set to return in Week 4. In his only game this season, he caught seven passes for 75 yards and a touchdown against the Bills. With him practicing Friday, his return would help quarterback C.J. Stroud and the running game while hurting wideouts Kayshon Boutte and Xavier Hutchinson, as well as tight end Dalton Schultz. Fantasy managers can confidently start Collins in Week 4 if he's active, as he is a strong WR2 option against a weaker Dallas secondary.

Oct 2, 2026 8:13 AM EST


Nico Collins Seen Practicing on Thursday

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) was seen practicing Thursday as the team prepares to face the Dallas Cowboys. Collins has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury but has participated in back-to-back sessions and is trending in the right direction for Week 4. In his only game action this season, he had seven receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills. Friday's practice will be key to his ability to play against the Cowboys, and his return would also help quarterback C.J. Stroud and the run game. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable starting Collins if he is active in Week 4, as he is a high-end WR2 against a weaker Dallas secondary.

Oct 1, 2026 8:28 AM EST


Nico Collins Returns to Practice on Wednesday

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is back at practice on Wednesday, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Collins missed the last two games due to a strained hamstring, but he is back at practice now, and head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Monday that the team is "hopeful" that their WR1 can return this Sunday in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys. The 27-year-old will probably end up being limited on Wednesday, but if he can upgrade to a full practice by the end of the week, he could be good to go this weekend, where he would be a must-start in his return to action against the 1-2 Cowboys. In the season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, Collins looked great, catching seven passes for 75 yards and his first touchdown of the 2026 season. Quarterback C.J. Stroud will be much more attractive this week as a QB streamer if he gets his top receiver back against a Cowboys defense that has allowed 27.3 points per game through the first three weeks.

Sep 30, 2026 10:14 AM EST


Texans Hopeful to Get Nico Collins Back This Week

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said he is hopeful to get wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) back for the team's Week 4 contest against the Dallas Cowboys, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Collins suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain in practice several weeks ago and has missed the last two contests. However, if he can get through a good week of practice and return to the field, he could be in play to suit up this Sunday against Dallas. The Texans, who have started 0-3 on the year, really need to get their No. 1 wideout back in the fold to have a shot at turning their season around quickly. The 27-year-old former third-rounder in 2021 from Michigan caught seven of his 10 targets for 75 yards and his first touchdown of the season in the season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. When Collins is back in action for the Texans, he will immediately return to being a must-start in all traditional fantasy football lineups as quarterback C.J. Stroud's top option in the passing game.

Sep 28, 2026 10:14 AM EST


Nico Collins Making Good Progress From Injury

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans noted that wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is making good progress from his hamstring injury. "Nico has been progressing really well," Ryans said, according to Aaron Wilson, a Texans reporter for KPRC 2 Houston. "We'll see if he can get back out there." Collins has missed the past two games due to injury. He had seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown in the season-opening loss to the Bills. It's positive news to hear from the head coach after the Texans fell to 0-3 on the year. The team and fantasy managers could use Nico Collins back in the lineup. Collins is a top-tier wide receiver when healthy, and this is a positive sign that he could make a comeback for Week 4 against the Cowboys.

Sep 27, 2026 1:14 PM EST


Nico Collins Has a Decent Chance to Return in Week 4

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) has already been ruled out for the second game in a row, but he has a "decent chance" to return for Sunday's Week 4 contest against the Dallas Cowboys, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Collins has been sidelined since the practice week following Houston's season opener. The 27-year-old was impressive during that Week 1 contest, catching seven of 10 targets for 75 yards and one touchdown. Collins and his fantasy managers will be eager to put this injury behind him, especially if it means he's fully healthy and can return to his WR1 form in fantasy football. The Texans' offense has endured its fair share of struggles over the last year-plus, but the unit always seems to be playing at its best when Collins is on the field and showing off his extremely strong rapport with quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Sep 27, 2026 5:15 AM EST


Nico Collins Officially Ruled Out for Week 3

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) has officially been ruled out for his team's Week 3 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, per Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. It will be the second straight missed game for Collins, who is battling a Grade 1 hamstring strain. With Collins sidelined in Week 2, Texans wideouts Xavier Hutchinson and Kayshon Boutte were the team's leaders in snaps at the position. Veteran tight end Dalton Schultz led the team with 14 targets, while no other Houston pass-catcher was able to crack 40 receiving yards. In Week 3, Schultz profiles as a must-start tight end, while both Hutchinson and Boutte profile as low-end flex options.

Sep 25, 2026 12:26 PM EST


Nico Collins "Very Much in Doubt" to Play Sunday

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) has not practiced this week, and his availability for Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts is "very much in doubt," according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Collins missed Week 2 due to the injury, which also sidelined him for back-to-back practices on Wednesday and Thursday this week. While there's still a chance he could progress to a limited or full status on Friday, it doesn't sound like he's trending in the right direction. That's brutal news for the Texans, who are off to a 0-2 start and would love to get their alpha receiver back for a crucial divisional battle against the Indianapolis Colts. Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, and Kayshon Boutte should step up as the Texans' top receivers on Sunday, but none of them are absolute must-starts in fantasy football.

Sep 25, 2026 6:23 AM EST


Nico Collins Not at Practice on Thursday, Slated to Miss Week 3

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) remains absent from practice on Thursday, according to DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. Per KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson, Collins is trending toward missing a second straight game in Week 3 against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain that he suffered in practice last week. Fantasy managers need to keep the Texans' No. 1 wideout on the bench again this week and hope he can return for a Week 4 matchup at home against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 4. In last week's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals with Collins sidelined, newcomer Kayshon Boutte was more involved, catching three of his five targets for 37 yards, but it was tight end Dalton Schultz who was the biggest beneficiary, catching 12 of 14 targets for a team-high 140 yards. Xavier Hutchinson saw the second-most targets (nine), and Jared Wayne surprisingly had seven targets in the passing game. Schultz will be in must-start status this weekend in Indy if Collins is ruled out again, with Boutte being on the flex radar for a second straight game.

Sep 24, 2026 8:55 AM EST


Nico Collins Not Practicing on Wednesday

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) was not seen at the portion of practice open to the media on Wednesday, according to DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. Collins injured his hamstring at practice last Wednesday and did not play in the Week 2 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans are hopeful that the 27-year-old is not out long-term, but there is no guarantee that he will play this weekend on the road against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts. Fantasy managers who have Collins rostered should be prepared for a potential second straight missed game. Receiver Kayshon Boutte had a bigger role in his second game with Houston last week with Collins out, and Xavier Hutchinson was also targeted frequently by quarterback C.J. Stroud. Second-year wideout Jaylin Noel will remain in starting three-wide sets if Collins misses another game. But perhaps the safest fantasy floor will belong to tight end Dalton Schultz, who exploded for 12 catches and 140 yards on 14 targets last week with Collins sidelined.

Sep 23, 2026 10:15 AM EST


Nico Collins Could Miss Multiple Games With Hamstring Injury

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is already out for Sunday against Cincinnati, and the hamstring injury may cost him more than one game. Collins suffered a Grade 1 strain in practice Wednesday after opening the season with seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets against Buffalo. Aaron Wilson reports the current expectation is that Collins could also miss next week's road game against Indianapolis, though the situation remains fluid. That's a significant short-term hit for a receiver who immediately returned to his usual high-volume role in Week 1. The good news is that Collins avoided a more serious injury. The bad news is that hamstrings can linger, and Houston may choose to be cautious with his return. Sunday is already off the table. If the current expectation holds and Collins also sits in Week 3, fantasy managers could be without him for two straight games.

Sep 19, 2026 12:16 PM EST


Kayshon Boutte Is Set for a Bigger Role Without Nico Collins

Houston Texans wide receiver Kayshon Boutte only made one catch in Week 1, but he'll need to be much more involved in Week 2, since Nico Collins (hamstring) is out. In his Texans debut, Boutte played 46% of snaps in Week 1, which was the third-highest total of Houston's WRs. He only had two targets and made one catch for 21 yards. C.J. Stroud will have to lean on Boutte, Jayline Noel, and Xavier Hutchinson much more in Week 2 after Collins dominated the target share with 10 looks in Week 1. Boutte definitely brings potential as a boom-or-bust deep-ball specialist, and more chances could result in him stepping into a larger role in Houston's offense for the rest of the year. He has a high ceiling without Collins, but he's still only RotoBaller's WR No. 46, so he's still only worth starting in deep leagues or if you are desperate for a FLEX play.

Sep 19, 2026 3:46 AM EST


C.J. Stroud Is Hard to Start in Week 2 Without Nico Collins

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had solid numbers in Week 1 against the Bills, but he lost his top receiver, Nico Collins (hamstring), to a midweek injury and is in a tough matchup against the Bengals in Week 2. Stroud threw for 274 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns in the season opener but lost two costly fumbles, including one when trying to rally his team for a win. He finished Week 1 as the QB15, and for Week 2, he's ranked as RotoBaller's QB20. Without Collins, though, he is a much higher-risk start since his receiving corps is very unproven. The Bengals' defense held Baker Mayfield and the Bucs in check in Week 1, which further makes Stroud an unattractive play in single-QB leagues. He remains a low-end QB2, but comes with significant risk factors.

Sep 19, 2026 2:52 AM EST


Nico Collins Ruled Out Against Bengals

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Cincinnati, according to Ari Meirov. Collins hurt his hamstring during Wednesday's practice and was limited before sitting out Thursday. He wasn't on the field Friday either. Testing reportedly showed a Grade 1 strain. Collins led Houston with seven catches on 10 targets for 75 yards and a touchdown in the opener against Buffalo, so there is plenty of work to replace. Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson, and Jaylin Noel are all candidates for more opportunities. Noel had two catches for 53 yards last week, while Boutte caught one pass for 21 yards in his Texans debut. There isn't an obvious one-for-one replacement for Collins in this offense.

Sep 18, 2026 12:10 PM EST