Nico Collins

October 4, 2026: 118 yards and two scores

Nico Collins caught seven passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas. He led Houston in receiving yards in the 34–30 defeat, with his longest reception gaining 45 yards.

Profile updated October 2, 2026: Nico Collins is a Houston Texans wide receiver whose breakout with C.J. Stroud developed into three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

Is Nico Collins available against Dallas?

Collins practiced fully Friday and has no injury designation for the October 4 game against the Cowboys. His hamstring had limited him Wednesday and Thursday. That is an availability update, not a confirmed snap count. See the Texans injury and roster report for the wider team picture.

From Michigan to Houston’s receiving core

Houston drafted Collins 89th overall in 2021 after his Michigan career. His first two NFL seasons produced 446 and 481 receiving yards. The leap came in 2023: 80 catches, 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. A 195-yard performance at Indianapolis capped that regular season; he then caught six passes for 96 yards and a touchdown in the playoff win over Cleveland.

What his recent seasons show

Collins followed with 1,006 receiving yards in 12 games in 2024 and 1,117 in 15 games in 2025. Those totals show sustained production beyond one breakout year. In his 2026 opener against Buffalo, he contributed seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown.

Why his return matters

DeMeco Ryans described Collins as an explosive threat who forces defenses to adjust. Stroud also emphasized his versatility and the offense’s need to make more plays after the catch. Those comments explain the opportunity his return creates without guaranteeing targets or a result. Follow the Cowboys–Texans game center.