Texans’ Nico Collins says he will play against Cowboys

HOUSTON — Nico Collins says he will return to the field for the Houston Texans when they take on the Dallas Cowboys on “Monday Night Football.”

“Hell yeah, I’ll play this week,” he told ESPN on Friday.

The star receiver missed the Texans’ last five games after suffering a hamstring injury in the 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 5. He came off injured reserve and practiced last Friday before Houston’s matchup against the Detroit Lions, but no I don’t play.

He was limited in practice on Thursday and then promoted to full participant on Friday of this week.

“Just going out, being with my brothers,” Collins told ESPN. “There’s no better feeling than that. Just happy to feel good and happy to get a chance to play this week and pick up where I left off.”

Collins’ return couldn’t come at a better time for the Texans.

Through the first five weeks, he led the NFL in receiving yards (567), and quarterback CJ Stroud benefited from his presence, ranking third in passing yards (1,385), tied for tenth in touchdowns (seven) and tenth in QBR (66.2). .

But since Collins’ injury, Stroud’s production has declined. He ranks 17th in yards (986), tied for 19th in touchdowns (5), and 25th in QBR (41.3).

Stroud also lost his No. 2 target in former All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 8’s 23-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

With Collins back, one of the NFL’s most prolific duos can boost a struggling offense that is averaging just 8.1 points in the second halves of games this season (tied for 27th in the NFL). The Stroud-Collins connection produced a passer rating of 133.3, which ranked sixth among duos with at least 30 targets.

“It’s huge. I’m really excited to have my guy back,” Stroud said. “I’m happy that he’s back with the team, he’s part of the locker room again. They’re alone, when players get injured, they’re alone. So I’m glad he can be alone.” to be around the guys again and be able to play the sport he loves to play.”

The Texans passing attack faces a Cowboys defense that has allowed 210 passing yards per game (17th in the NFL), 15 touchdowns (10th) and a 105.1 passer rating (second highest).

With Collins back, coach DeMeco Ryans said he’s excited to see what that means for an offense that averaged 24.4 points (13th) and 299 yards per game (24th) in his absence.

“Getting Nico back is always fantastic for all of us,” Ryans said. “Nico has been one of our best players when he was healthy, so it’s great to have him back, great to have his presence and the energy that he brings and also the playmaking ability that he brings. Happy to have him back and really proud of “Him for the work he has done to recover.”