Superstar wide receiver Nico Collins suffered a concussion in the Wild Card round, and this head injury will officially keep him out of Sunday’s battle against the New England Patriots. According to reports across the league, the Michigan product and two-time Pro Bowler did not clear concussion protocol and will not play in the divisional round.
Nico Collins Concussion Update: Texans WR Ruled Out Against Patriots
This is a tough blow for a Houston Texans team that is looking to reach its first AFC Championship Game in franchise history. While the defense is the calling card of this team, Collins is one of Houston’s most valuable players and the clear leader of the passing attack. Starting and appearing in 15 games this year, the wide receiver finished the season with 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns on 120 targets.
With Nico Collins sidelined due to his concussion, the Texans will likely run their aerial attack through rookie Jayden Higgins, veteran Christian Kirk, and tight end Dalton Schultz. Higgins showed plenty of promise as a rookie, finishing the season with 41 receptions for 525 yards and six touchdowns while playing his best football down the stretch. Schultz, meanwhile, had a team-best 82 receptions for 777 yards and three touchdowns on 106 targets. The big tight end was Stroud’s safety option all year, and he should only see more work without Collins.
The Houston Texans face a white-hot Patriots team looking to complete their one-year turnaround under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel. Led by Drake Maye and his MVP-caliber play, New England went from worst to first in the AFC East and comfortably defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round, 16-3.
Whichever team wins this game will face the victor of the Broncos-Bills game. While Houston is the fifth seed, they could host the AFC Championship game if the Bills triumph.
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