HOUSTON — Nico Collins knows what’s at stake as he approaches his long-awaited return to the football field after missing five games with a right hamstring injury.
Playing in prime time is also a “great opportunity” to remind the world of the type of receiver he was before his injury.
”[I] “I had to go out there and take advantage of the opportunity,” Collins said. “I had to ball out when it touched my hands in order to get it back.” When the ball is in the air, you have to do something with it. ”
The Houston Texans started 4-1 with Collins, but have won two in five weeks in his absence, including a loss against the Detroit Lions while leading by 15 points for the second time since 1933. This includes a historic loss in which they lost by five points. Intercept.
When Collins was placed on injured reserve after the Texans’ 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 5, he led the NFL in receiving yards (567). His 113.4 yards per game still leads the league, and the Texans (6-4) will be the first to see him play against the Dallas Cowboys (3-6) on “Monday Night Football” (8:15 p.m. ET). ) is expected to add a spark to the struggling offense. ESPN/ABC).
Collins returned from injured reserve and practiced the Friday before the Lions game, but Houston decided he needed another week. He was practicing every day leading up to game day against the Cowboys and told ESPN, “Well, I’m playing,” before being taken off the injury report on Saturday.
Coach DeMeco Ryans said he wants to see quarterback C.J. Stroud “let it go” and “rip it apart” as the second-year quarterback tries to bounce back from the third multi-interception game of his career.
“Having Nico back is always great for all of us,” Lyons said. “Nico was one of our best players when he was healthy, so it’s great to have him back. His presence, the energy he brings, the playmaking ability he brings.”
texas crime They ranked sixth in total offense with Collins (376.6 yards per game), but dropped to 299 yards (24th) without the fourth-year receiver. That’s because running back Joe Mixon had 471 yards (third-most) in that stretch. From Weeks 6 to 10, his 165 passing yards per game ranked 29th.
In the first game without Collins, the offense scored 41 points against the New England Patriots, who are currently 3-8. However, from Weeks 7 to 10, Stroud’s performance slowed, with the unit averaging only 20 points (16th) and 282.5 total yards (27th). He was 27th in QBR (34.5), but through the first five weeks he was third in passing yards (1,385), tied for 10th in touchdowns (7) and tied for 10th in QBR (66.2).
The Texans also lost their No. 2 receiver, Stefon Diggs, to a torn ACL in his right knee in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts. But even with Diggs in the wake of Collins’ injury, Stroud averaged 187 passing yards from Weeks 6 to 8, and his career-high Texans’ 24-22 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 7 His lowest total was 86 yards.
“I’m so excited to have Buddy back,” Stroud said. “I’m really happy to have him back in the team and be a part of the locker room again. They’re lonely, and when a player gets injured, you’re alone. So it’s just nice to have him around.” We get to play together and play the sport he loves. ”
With Diggs and Collins out, wide receiver Tank Dell has been the top target, and Dell has 11 catches for 165 yards over the past two games. If Collins returns, it could be easier for Dell as he could slide into the No. 2 role and Collins would “extend the breadth of the offense.”
“Nico brings a lot to the table,” Dell told ESPN. “Defenses have to account for him. They have to keep their eyes on him all the time. That opens up not only the receivers but the run game as well.”
It doesn’t matter if Collins is gone. The only reason for our woes on offense. In Stroud’s absence, the Texans rank 23rd in pass block win percentage at 54.8, which puts Stroud under the second-most pressures among starters on 46.8 percent of his dropbacks.
Collins has helped take the pressure off Stroud, who had a QBR of 72 when he was on the field, compared to 41 when he was out this season. Stroud also has a passer rating of 133.3 when targeting Collins, ranking him sixth among duos with at least 30 targets in Week 11, according to Next Gen Stats.
Collins is ready to recreate some of their magic and says, “We just have to keep doing what we’re doing.”
“when [Stroud’s] The hind legs hit the ground, [he’s] “I couldn’t feel any better,” Collins told ESPN. I’m feeling good and I’m happy to have the opportunity to play this week.”
The connection between Collins and Stroud could also be the formula the Texans need to end a two-game losing streak.
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MNF Trailer: Texans vs. Cowboys
Get ready for an exciting Week 11 Monday Night Football matchup as the Texans take on the Cowboys.
Entering Week 11, quarterbacks facing the Cowboys have the second-highest average passer rating in the NFL (105.1) and are allowing 210 passing yards per game (17th). They also have 362.9 total yards per game (26th) and 28.8 points per game (2nd).
However, while Collins’ return to the field will be appreciated by his teammates, his absence has taught him to evaluate his chances.
“I don’t know when it’s going to be my last game, I don’t know what it is,” Collins told ESPN. “We came out strong for the first four weeks and then went strong.” [injured]out of nowhere. Now I’m missing out on time. We recognize that this situation will not last long. You have to do whatever you can to give your best. ”
