Head coach DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans returned to the practice field on Thursday in preparation for their AFC Divisional Playoff showdown against the New England Patriots, but their roster continued miss some key contributors.
There is just one more session left this week.
The Texans could be hard-pressed to get some of their walking-wounded cleared in time for game day, given how their second practice went.
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GettyNico Collins #12 of the Houston Texans looks on after beating the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Texans practiced without two of the most proven wide receivers on their roster, Nico Collins and Justin Watson. That trend continued on Thursday in an ominous sign for the Texans and quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Stroud spoke candidly about Collins’ potential absence, noting that he has faith in the rest of the WR room to step up in the two-time Pro Bowler and team captain’s place.
Despite having another session, the Texans are not expected to have Collins this week.
“#Texans WR Nico Collins is not at the portion of practice open to media members as he remains in concussion protocol,” The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander reported on X on January 15. “Obviously, it’s a long shot he plays Sunday vs. Patriots, considering the steps he must clear.”
Alexander’s read on the Collins’ outlook for the Texans was still more optimistic than some others.
“Texans WR Nico Collins is not at practice today,” ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime said in a post on X on January 15, adding that this absence “almost slams the door on him playing this week against the Patriots.”
All is not exactly lost, though.
“The #Texans are a much better team with Nico Collins on the field than off it,” Alexander said in a separate post. “But they’ve also gone 2-0 when he’s missed games this season.”
Losing Collins–and Watson, a three-time Super Bowl champion–for one of the biggest games in franchise history is a significant blow to the Texans’ roster, even if Stroud still has options at wide receiver like Christian Kirk and Jayen Higgins.
There were more ominous developments for the Texans in their latest roster update.
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GettyTrent Brown #77 of the New England Patriots lines up against the Baltimore Ravens.
Collins and Watson’s absences from practice are significant enough. However, there are other concerns on the Texans’ roster at defensive end with backup Denico Autry and right tackle.
Starter Trent Brown was also absent from practice.
The Texans listed Brown, who is also a Super Bowl champion and a former Patriot, as a non-participant in Monday’s practice. He is dealing with an ankle injury, though there was some hope that it was more about rest than recovery. It appears that may not be the case.
Stroud is even more used to changes up front than at wide receiver. The Texans have shuffled their front five multiple times during the regular season.
It is another hurdle to clear going up against a challenging Patriots team, though.
Stroud and the rest of the Texans’ roster must continue to do what they have done throughout the campaign and step up. That is how they ended the regular season on a nine-game winning streak. They also overcame self-inflicted errors to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card.
Stroud fumbled the ball 5 times in that game. That is in addition to throwing an interception, and that was with Brown in the lineup.
Even if Brown, Collins, and Watson play, Stroud and the Texans must be better this weekend.
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