Nico Collins missed practice time during the Houston Texans’ offseason program last month, and for a receiver who has never played a full 17-game slate in five NFL seasons, that was enough to raise eyebrows. Turns out there was nothing to worry about.
Collins told Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Houston that his reduced workload during OTAs and mandatory minicamp had nothing to do with an injury. It was the Texans’ plan all along, designed to keep their No. 1 receiver fresh heading into training camp.
“Not at all,” Collins said when asked if he was dealing with an injury in June. “They just did that. I listened to the coaches, listened to the GM, saying ‘Yes, sir.’ And they told me to be ready for camp. Yes, sir.”
The clarification lines up with NFL.com’s reporting, which confirmed Collins was one of several players held out of full participation during minicamp as a managed, precautionary measure rather than a response to a nagging issue.
A Track Record of Missed Time
The concern wasn’t unreasonable. Collins has developed into a two-time Pro Bowler with three straight 1,000-yard seasons, but he hasn’t made it through a full campaign without missing time. Last year, he exited Week 7 with a concussion and sat out the following game. He suffered another head injury during Houston’s wild-card win over Pittsburgh and missed the Divisional Round as a result. In 2024, a hamstring injury cost him five games.
That history is exactly why any absence — even a scripted one — draws attention in Houston.
| Season | Games Played | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | 1,117 | 6 |
| 2024 | 12 | 1,006 | 7 |
| 2023 | 15 | 1,297 | 8 |
The Focal Point of Houston’s Passing Game
The 27-year-old Michigan product isn’t just Houston’s top receiver — he’s the clear separator in a room that thinned out fast behind him last season. Collins caught 71 of 120 targets for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. The next-closest Texans wideout, Jayden Higgins, finished with 525 yards. That gap explains why quarterback C.J. Stroud needs Collins on the field, not just productive when he’s there. Collins gives Stroud a target who wins in contested situations and creates explosive plays after the catch — the kind of separation Houston’s offense hasn’t consistently gotten from anyone else.
Resting a proven producer during voluntary and low-stakes practice reps, rather than risking wear and tear before the games that count, is a standard approach for teams trying to protect a foundational piece. Houston appears to be betting that fewer spring reps now means more availability in the fall.
What to Watch in Training Camp
Collins’ health will be the swing factor for a Texans passing attack looking to take a real step forward in 2026. Behind him, the development of second-year receivers Higgins and Jaylin Noel will be closely tracked, as will the recovery of Tank Dell, who is working his way back from a significant knee injury. But none of that changes the central equation for Houston: when Collins plays, the offense has its best version. When he doesn’t, there isn’t a clear second option ready to fully replace his production.
