NFL

Is Nico Collins playing against the Patriots? Injury update on Texans WR

ballervisions 2026年1月17日

The Houston Texans are back in the NFL divisional round for the third year in a row under coach DeMeco Ryans.

Once again, Houston has one of the top defenses in the league, especially against the pass. Edge Runners Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter lead the way with first-team All-Pro linebacker Derek Stingley Jr. who sets the tone for the second.

Houston’s offense has endured a tumultuous start to the season under first-year coordinator Nick Caley and rookie starting left tackle Aireontae Ersery. But the Texans got more than a regular season walk.

Their 30-6 victory over Pittsburgh in the wild card round marked their 10th straight victory, and they overcame five errors at quarterback CJ Stroud. Houston got that win despite being without wide receiver Nico Collins for much of the second half. He entered the league competition after trying to catch a pass in the middle of the field and fell hard on his head.

Houston will face the New England Patriots in the divisional round of the playoffs. Will the Texans have their top wide receiver in that contest? Here’s the latest on Collins’ situation:

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Best photos of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa’s effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

Week 1: New England Patriots’ Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.

Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball when he is brought down by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a tough Giants game for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.

Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.

Is Nico Collins playing with the Patriots?

Collins won’t be like New England. The Texans ruled him out of their final injury report on Friday, Jan. 16.

He and wide receiver Justin Watson will both miss the divisional round as they undergo concussion protocol.

Houston will lean on veteran Christian Kirk and rookie Jayden Higgins at the position with Collins sidelined.

What is the NFL’s concussion protocol?

The NFL breaks down its concussion protocol into five different steps. The procedure is designed to shorten the recovery process from a head injury, ensuring the safety of the player.

Here are the five steps of the protocol, according to the NFL: