The Houston Texans are 5-2 heading into their matchup with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8. Despite the good start, the Texans have been without top receiver Nico Collins since Week 5, when he suffered a hamstring injury that knocked him out of the game.

Initially, the Texans seemed optimistic that Collins’ injury may be short-term. It was originally reported that Collins would be day-to-day ahead of Houston’s Week 6 game against the New England Patriots. However, DeMeco Ryans said the team’s top receiver would be week-to-week.

‘It takes a couple of weeks for a hamstring,’ Ryans said when discussing the injury, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Shortly after the comments, Houston placed Collins on injured reserve.

Here’s the latest on Nico Collins’ hamstring injury and potential return:

When will Nico Collins return?

Once the Texans placed Collins on IR, he would be guaranteed to sit for the next four games.

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The Texans may get their No. 1 wide receiver back in Week 10 against the Detroit Lions on ‘Sunday Night Football.’ This is the earliest Collins can return.

According to a report, Collins has experienced no setbacks during his recovery. He will miss the team’s Week 8 matchup with the Colts and Week 9 against the Jets on ‘Thursday Night Football.’ He will look to step back into the Texans’ No. 1 receiving role in Week 10.

Despite missing the last two games, Collins sits fourth in the NFL in receiving yards entering Week 8.

When was Nico Collins’ injury?

Nico Collins was injured in the Texans Week 5 matchup against the Bills at home. He left the game at the end of the first quarter, with Houston leading 14-3. The Texans ruled Collins out for the remainder of the game against Buffalo because of a hamstring injury. He finished his day with 2 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Collins injured his hamstring on the same play he reeled in a 67-yard touchdown catch from CJ Stroud. He appeared to let up on his way into the end zone after the catch.

Nico Collins stats

Collins led the NFL in receiving yards through five weeks with 567 yards. Below is a full look at his stats from the 2024 season:

Targets: 45
Catches: 32
Yards: 567
TDs: 3
Yards per reception: 17.7

Collins has three games with at least 100 receiving yards and has recorded at least 78 yards in each of his five games.

Texans WR depth chart

Houston has relied on Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell as its primary receivers with Collins out.

Robert Woods and Xavier Hutchinson have alternated as the team’s No. 4 receiver this season, but Hutchinson had a larger role than Woods, who has been dealing with a foot injury himself.

Below is a full look at the Texans wide receiver depth chart behind Collins:

Stefon Diggs
Tank Dell
Xavier Hutchinson
Robert Woods
John Metchie III
Steven Sims

The team also has Johnny Johnson III available on the practice squad if additional reinforcements are needed.