Texans Get More Bad News On Nico Collins Before Patriots Game

The Houston Texans are looking little and little apt to person Nico Collins successful nan fold for their divisional information matchup against nan New England Patriots— arsenic ESPN's Adam Schefter is nan latest to person immoderate added pessimism connected nan prima receiver's position this weekend.

During an question and reply pinch WEEI Afternoons, Schefter was asked astir what Collins' position successful New England whitethorn clasp aft suffering a concussion successful nan midst of Houston's Wild Card crippled against nan Pittsburgh Steelers, wherever it didn't look excessively apt that nan Texans' apical target would beryllium fresh to go.

"I don't expect him to play," Schefter said of Collins. "I'd beryllium shocked. He's not practicing... It's a short week. He was carted off. To clear protocol successful six days, you conscionable don't ordinarily spot it. I deliberation it would beryllium an upset if he played connected Sunday. I'm not expecting it."

While Collins' position heading into nan Texans' adjacent crippled against nan Patriots had been up successful nan aerial pursuing nan events of their Wild Card win, Schefter's study makes it beautiful improbable that his position will beryllium elevated successful clip for their adjacent showing.

Collins was carted disconnected successful nan 2nd half of nan Texans' action successful Pittsburgh aft a difficult deed to nan crushed connected an attempted reception, suffering what's now nan 2nd concussion successful nan past 3 months, and much apt than not, will lead to his 3rd missed crippled of nan play because of it.

Nico Collins Unlikely to Play vs. Patriots

If yet forced to nan broadside for their 2nd playoff game, it's a awesome nonaccomplishment to nan Texans' discourtesy and C.J. Stroud's arsenal. Collins has continued to beryllium nan dependable number-one target successful nan passing crippled for Houston this play amid their violative ups and downs.

In 15 games played this season, Collins has logged a team-high 1,117 yards connected 71 receptions, nan second-most catches successful a azygous play of his career, while hauling successful six touchdowns throughout. He's an explosive, big-play threat that tin grip a dense stock of targets successful nan passing game, and successful his 5th twelvemonth successful Houston, has shown nary signs of his accumulation slowing down 1 bit.

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Collins will person 2 much days of believe to effort and suit up contempt nan uncertainty surrounding his position for nan weekend, but if incapable to spell successful immoderate capacity, he'll beryllium ruled retired entirely––which wouldn't beryllium shocking considering nan circumstances of a short turnaround from Monday Night Football and now logging his 2nd concussion of this season.

For immoderate agelong that Collins is forced to nan broadside for nan Texans’ offense, their seasoned pass-catchers Xavier Hutchinson and Christian Kirk will spot a heightened role, arsenic good arsenic their rookie playmakers successful second-round prime Jayden Higgins and third-rounder Jaylin Noel, who person some had their respective flashes passim nan season.

Collins would person a amended chance to suit up for nan pursuing play if nan Texans beforehand past nan Patriots, but of course, it will return a afloat week of believe to officially find whether aliases not he tin clear concussion protocol. This week, nan likelihood of that look to beryllium slim.

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