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Nico Collins injury update: Texans WR leaves game after landing on head

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh01/13/26griffin_mcveigh

Entering the fourth quarter, the Houston Texans hold a one-point lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Wild Card round action. It’s been a pure defensive battle, as neither team has really been able to break through. And while Houston continues to attempt to do so, it is without star wide receiver Nico Collins for the time being.

Collins fell on his head after a target from quarterback CJ Stroud. The pass fell incomplete but concern immediately turned to the well-being of Collins. Trainers came out onto the field before seeing him walk off under his own power.

Shortly after, news broke of Collins being evaluated for a concussion. Not all too surprising, considering there was another play where Collins left the field due to a blow to the head. The Texans did not provide any kind of official update but ESPN’s Laura Rutledge did provide a report.

“Well, unfortunate what you see on your screen here from the Texans,” Rutledge said. “Nico Collins being carted off. He was in the medical tent for a while just now, being evaluated for a concussion. And now, as you can see, he is heading to the locker room. Joe, he was hunched over after this injury for a good minute. He couldn’t even make it into the medical tent for a while and now, they’ll take him into the locker room.”

***UPDATE*** – With around eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Collins has been ruled out by the Texans. Rutledge provided a follow-up, saying, “He has officially been ruled out with a concussion. We saw him carted off, documented that. He’s out for this game.”

Houston Texans playing without best wide receiver, Nico Collins

If Houston is going to advance, they are going to need to do so without Collins out there. No matter how it’s spun, this is a major loss for the offense. Collins has become one of the best wide receivers in football over the past three years.

This season marked the third straight for Collins with 1,000 yards. Add in six touchdowns and the connection Collins shares with Stroud produces on almost a weekly basis.

Winning would send the Texans up to Foxborough to play the New England Patriots. Everyone knows what kind of culture Mike Vrabel has built, meaning another slug fest could be on the way. Collins and his health will be a major storyline going into it — again, if Houston can hold on.