Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is out at least four games with a hamstring injury after being placed on injured reserve on Wednesday.
Collins, the NFL’s leading receiver with 567 yards in 2024, also is tied for third in the league with 32 catches through five games.
He left the Week 5 win over the Buffalo Bills immediately after hauling in a 67-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud in the first quarter. Collins had 78 receiving yards in the game, his seventh consecutive regular-season game with at least 75 yards.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said that while the injury is unfortunate, he is happy that it wasn’t even more significant.
“He’ll be back for us. So, encouraged by that news,” Ryans said. “He’ll be back at some point this season. And it’s like always in the NFL, there are always injuries that happen in our game and it’s opportunity for other guys to step up and make the most of their opportunity, that’s what the league is about.”
The Texans (4-1) will turn to Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell to fill the void starting Sunday at New England (1-4). Diggs has 31 receptions this season, his first in Houston after starring for the Bills.
Dell had four catches for 38 yards last week. He totaled 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns last season as a rookie.
Xavier Hutchinson is the team’s fourth-leading wideout with just three receptions for 28 yards through five games. The Texans also signed tight end Teagan Quitoriano to the active roster and added former Pitt wide receiver Jared Wayne to the practice squad.
“A lot of guys who have stepped in when other guys are out, they’ve made a name for themselves and made some big plays in the league, so we’re looking for the same thing for whoever it may be,” Ryans said. “Guys just owning their opportunity.”
