NFL · Live Wire
Nico Collins ruled out for Texans’ Week 2 clash with Bengals
Houston will be without Nico Collins on Sunday after the wide receiver suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain in practice.
Lead
Nico Collins has been ruled out of Houston’s Week 2 home game against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a hamstring injury. Source Source Source
The decision was confirmed on Friday 18 September, with Houston scheduled to host Cincinnati at 17:00 UTC on Sunday 20 September. Source Source Source
Collins sustained the injury during Wednesday’s practice session. Source Source
The absence follows a productive opening game against Buffalo, when Collins made seven receptions from 10 targets for 75 yards and a touchdown. Source Source Source
The diagnosis
The hamstring problem has been identified as a Grade 1 strain. Source
Collins was a limited participant on Wednesday before sitting out practice on both Thursday and Friday. Source Source Source
Reports say Houston do not consider the issue serious or long-term, but the immediate outcome is that Collins will not be available this weekend. Source Source
There is added context in his recent injury record: Collins missed five games in 2024 after being placed on injured reserve with a hamstring problem. Source Source
Sporting impact
Collins’ absence removes a player who accounted for seven of Houston’s completions and its receiving touchdown in the Week 1 loss to Buffalo. Source Source Source
He also had one rushing attempt for seven yards in that opener. Source
Houston’s wide receiver group has already been described as depleted, with Jayden Higgins out for the season following an ACL tear and Tank Dell on injured reserve. Source Source Source
Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson and Kayshon Boutte have been identified as potential replacements for Collins. Source
Houston still generated 381 total yards and scored on four of five red-zone visits in its 36–31 defeat by Buffalo, but its options are now reduced for the Cincinnati matchup. Source Source Source Source
Notes
The reports are aligned on the core details: Collins hurt his hamstring in midweek practice, did not practise on Thursday or Friday, and has been ruled out for Week 2. Source Source Source
The Grade 1 classification is reported separately, while the broader coverage consistently characterises the injury as not serious or long-term. Source Source Source
Sunday’s fixture is the first confirmed absence, and the available reporting does not provide a specific return date. Source Source Source
Key facts
5 data pointsSources used in this piece
7 sources01CBS Sports
OpenTexans' Nico Collins' hamstring injury: Pro Bowl WR ruled out for Week 2
02The Athletic
OpenTexans WR Nico Collins ruled out for Week 2 vs. Bengals with hamstring injury
03ESPN
OpenTexans rule WR Nico Collins out vs. Bengals with hamstring injury
04FantasyPros
OpenNico Collins Football News & Fantasy Analysis
05HFC sports data
DataNico Collins’s 2026 season statistics
06HFC sports data
DataHouston Texans 2026 schedule and results
07HFC sports data
DataHouston Texans’ Week 1 team statistics
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- Unverified source
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