The Houston Texans could be down not one, but two players–Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins and a Super Bowl champion teammate, in their AFC Divisional Playoff showdown against the New England Patriots.
That is an unfortunate development.
They are facing a team that boasts a stout defense and an explosive offense helmed by the potential MVP.
Nico Collins, Super Bowl Champion Teammate Trending in Wrong Direction for Texans-Patriots
GettyNico Collins #12 of the Houston Texans warms up before facing the Arizona Cardinals.
Collins and fellow Texans wideout Justin Watson are in concussion protocol and were unable to participate in practice in any capacity on Wednesday. There are two more sessions on deck before game day, but the outlook is grim.
“The Houston Texans are trending towards being without their leading receiver for the next round of the NFL playoffs,” The Houston Chronicle’s Sam Warren wrote on January 14.
“Collins’ absence on Wednesday slims his chances to play against the Patriots although [head coach DeMeco] Ryans did not rule him out. The league’s protocol is a five-step process that requires players to clear several tests to advance from each level to the next. With the concussion occurring on Monday night, Collins will have just six days total to clear the process.”
Warren noted that Collins must go through two practice sessions symptom-free, including one with contact, and receive clearance from an independent physician, before he can return to action for the Texans.
The situation could grow more complicated if Collins misses one or both of the final practices.
Collins suffered a concussion during the regular season, too, in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks. He missed the following week against the San Francisco 49ers.
Warren suspects that Watson, a three-time Super Bowl champion, is on a “similar timeline” as Collins this week, with both injured against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card. Still, Collins’ absence looms large for the Texans and, specifically, quarterback C.J. Stroud.
C.J. Stroud Gets Honest About Nico Collins
GettyNico Collins #12 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Seattle Seahawks.
In addition to Collins, the Texans also listed starting right tackle Trent Brown and backup defensive end Denico Autry as non-participants in Wednesday’s practice. However, both were more due to resting than anything that might keep them from participating in Sunday’s contest.
Again, Collins’ potential absence looms large for Stroud.
“We’re hoping Nico can play and be able to play this game. But if not, we’ve had this experience before,” Stroud said. “Played a couple games this year without him, sadly. But … all our guys are talented, and we have a lot of depth in that room. And I’m the most confident in everybody in there to get the job done. So, hopefully, Nico is all right. But, I think, if not, we just got to–nothing else we can do–just go forward and try to build with the guys we have.”
Stroud remains on track to have Christian Kirk, who had a breakout game as a Texan in the Wild Card against the Steelers, and rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Stroud also noted the importance of keeping the running backs and ground game involved.
Ryans has previously noted how difficult it is for players to return from concussions on short weeks.
That was regarding Stroud, who missed three games with a concussion.
At the time, Collins expressed support for his teammate and how important it was that players and teams exercise an abundance of caution when navigating brain injuries. Along with the fact that this is his second concussion, Collins’ comments could loom large.
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