Texans' Nico Collins Placed on IR with Hamstring Injury; Out at Least 4 Games

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is off to a strong start this season, but he's set to be sidelined for a while.

Collins was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury on Wednesday, meaning he will miss at least the next four games. He will be eligible to return starting with a November 10 game against the Detroit Lions.

Earlier on Wednesday, ESPN's Dan Graziano reported the Texans were "bracing for the possibility" that Collins would sit out "multiple weeks" due to the injury he suffered in Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.

Collins leads Houston with 32 catches, 567 yards and three receiving touchdowns. The 2021 third-round pick has blossomed into a reliable source of production and the favorite target of star second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Graziano went on to explain that the Texans have enough talent to mitigate the loss of Collins. Still, the team is already missing starting running back Joe Mixon due to an ankle injury and has shown flaws despite its 4-1 record.

"They're well equipped at wide receiver with Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, and tight end Dalton Schultz is someone they've been trying to incorporate into the offense more. But they've already been playing without running back Joe Mixon and haven't exactly been crushing teams as it is," Graziano stated. "Houston is 4-1, but its wins are by two, six, four and three points, and its loss is by 27. The Texans are trying to find ways to put teams away in the second half and not have to rely on 59-yard field goals to win games."

Diggs is likely to become the focal point of the passing attack in Collins' absence. The four-time Pro Bowler is in his first year in Houston after an offseason trade with the Buffalo Bills and ranks second on the team with 31 catches, 315 yards and two touchdowns.

The Texans will begin life without Collins on Sunday when they travel to face the New England Patriots.