The Houston Texans are at a crossroads entering Week 18 of the regular season.
Starters are expected to play against the Tennessee Titans, but the question is for how long? Texans coach DeMeco Ryans initially didn’t plan on playing starters, but after an abysmal outing against the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day, plans changed.
“For us right now, we’ve got to go play better,” Ryans said. “Our last outing on the field was not good enough. It was not representative of who we are. Defensively, offensively, just not a good representation of our team entirely. So we’ve got to go out and play better football.”
Among those who could miss the second half is wide receiver Nico Collins. Houston’s lead receiver is on the verge of making history after securing his place in the Pro Bowl, but the Texans are looking to win.
Collins also wants to end the season on a high note after failing to find the end zone against Baltimore on Christmas Day.
“I love football,” Collins told reporters earlier this week. “I’m trying to play. I know you’ve got to take care of your players, want them to sit out and stuff. But I feel like if you love the game of football, you’re willing to do whatever. And I love it, so I’m trying to play. I ain’t trying to sit out.”
Nico Collins update
Collins will play on Sunday at Nissan Stadium. Should the Texans pull out to a significant lead, Ryans could elect to rest him for next week’s wild-card round.
After signing a three-year extension this offseason, Collins has been the go-to weapon of the offense. He’s only 31 yards shy of becoming the first wide receiver since Brandin Cooks in 2021 to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in a Texans’ uniform.
Collins would also join Hall of Fame receiver Andre Johnson and All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins as one of four players to accomplish a feat in a Texans’ uniform.
Nico Collins stats
After starting the season hot with 567 yards in five games, Collins was placed on the injured reserve for six weeks with a hamstring injury. He’s come back strong since Week 12, totaling 32 catches for three touchdowns.
Entering Week 18, Collins has notched 63 passes for 968 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 15.4 yards per catch.
Texans WR depth chart
With Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell on the season-ending injured reserve, the Texans picked up former Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowler Diontae Johnson off waivers. Johnson, who was traded to the Baltimore Ravens from the Carolina Panthers, only spent five games with the AFC North franchise before being released.
He’s expected to play on Sunday and teammates seem excited to watch him work.
“Diontae Johnson, he’s gonna look real good out there for us,” running back Joe Mixon said. “Incorporating him into the offense, I think that was major. I’ve played against him for years. I’ve obviously respected him as a football player. For him to come in and us be able to uplift him, because he was struggling this year going from place to place and figuring out where he stands.”
Behind Johnson and Collins are Robert Woods, John Metchie III, and Xavier Hutchinson.