Nico Collins Hamstring Injury: Will He Play? Latest News and Status

Nico Collins injury news is drawing attention ahead of the Houston Texans’ Week 2 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The star wide receiver was added to Houston’s injury report after dealing with a hamstring issue during the week.

Collins was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice on September 16. The Texans are continuing to evaluate the injury, while further testing has been reported to determine its severity.

The Texans are scheduled to host the Bengals on Sunday, September 20, so Collins’ practice participation over the next few days will be important in determining whether he can play.

What happened to Nico Collins?

Nico Collins appeared on the Texans’ injury report with a hamstring problem during the first practice of Week 2.

According to reports, Collins was limited during Wednesday’s session. The Houston Chronicle reported that he suffered the issue during practice and that the severity was still unclear. The receiver also participated in individual drills, which provided some indication that he was able to move on the field despite the problem.

The injury came shortly after Collins played a major role in Houston’s Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills.

In that game, Collins recorded seven receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown. He was quarterback C.J. Stroud’s leading target in the contest.

Because Collins is one of Houston’s most important offensive players, his status is being closely monitored throughout the week.

Is Nico Collins injured?

Yes. Collins is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, according to the Texans’ Week 2 practice information and multiple reports.

However, the exact severity of the injury had not been publicly established as of September 17. Reports indicated that Collins was undergoing additional testing, meaning the team was still gathering information before determining his availability for Sunday.

This distinction is important because being listed with an injury does not automatically mean a player will miss the upcoming game.

Collins was limited rather than ruled out during Wednesday’s practice. His participation later in the week should provide more information about his chances of playing against Cincinnati.

Will Nico Collins play Week 2?

At the latest update, there was no official game-status designation confirming that Collins would play or miss Sunday’s game.

The Texans are expected to continue monitoring him during the remainder of the practice week. The team’s official injury report for Wednesday listed Collins among the players with an injury concern, while the Texans have not announced him as out.

The next practice reports should offer a clearer picture.

A major factor will be whether Collins can increase his participation. The Houston Chronicle noted that Thursday’s practice could be particularly informative because it is generally one of the more demanding sessions of the week.

Therefore, it is too early to definitively say that Collins will or will not play.

Nico Collins injury status

Here is the latest picture surrounding Collins:

The Texans’ official Week 2 injury report showed Collins was not listed among Houston’s Wednesday non-participants, while other players, including Jake Hummel and Jadeveon Clowney, missed the session.

Collins has previous hamstring history

The current concern is particularly notable because Collins has dealt with a hamstring injury before.

In 2024, Collins missed five games after suffering a hamstring injury against the Buffalo Bills. That previous absence is one reason his current status is receiving additional attention.

Hamstring injuries can vary significantly in severity. A minor issue may allow a player to return quickly, while a more serious strain can result in an extended absence.

For that reason, Houston is likely to be cautious with one of its most important offensive weapons.

Nico Collins injury news is important for the Texans

Collins has developed into one of C.J. Stroud’s primary receiving targets.

The wide receiver entered the 2026 season after producing more than 1,000 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons. He finished the 2025 season with 71 receptions, 1,117 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 15 games.

His production gives Houston a reliable downfield option and an important target in the passing game.

Collins also started 2026 strongly. Against Buffalo in Week 1, he caught seven passes for 75 yards and a touchdown.

Losing him for any period would therefore change the Texans’ offensive rotation.

Who could replace Nico Collins?

If Collins is unable to play against Cincinnati, Houston would have to redistribute his targets among the remaining receivers.

Kayshon Boutte and Jaylin Noel have been identified as players who could see larger roles if Collins misses the game.

The Texans are already dealing with another significant issue at wide receiver. Jayden Higgins suffered a torn ACL in August and is expected to miss the season.

That makes Collins’ availability even more important for Houston.

Nico Collins news ahead of Bengals game

The Texans will host the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2 on September 20.

Collins’ hamstring issue is one of several injuries Houston is monitoring. The Wednesday report also listed linebacker Jake Hummel with a groin injury and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney with a knee issue.

The Bengals also have an injury concern involving quarterback Joe Burrow, who was limited Wednesday because of a back issue but has indicated that he expects to play Sunday.

As the week progresses, both teams will receive additional opportunities to clarify their injury situations.

Is Nico Collins playing Sunday?

As of the latest information available on September 17, Collins has not been officially ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Bengals.

However, his availability remains uncertain because he is dealing with a hamstring injury and was limited in Wednesday’s practice. Reports also indicated that additional testing was being performed to determine the severity of the problem.

Therefore, fans should watch the Texans’ subsequent practice reports and final game-status designation before assuming Collins will be active.

If he progresses through practice without a setback, his chances of playing could become clearer. If his participation remains limited or he misses practice, Houston could have to prepare for the possibility of playing without its star receiver.

Why the final injury report matters

NFL teams typically provide increasingly useful information as the week progresses.

Wednesday’s report establishes the initial status, while Thursday and Friday participation can provide a better indication of whether an injured player is progressing toward game availability.

For Collins, the key question is whether he can handle football activity without aggravating the hamstring.

The Texans have not announced that Collins is out, so there is currently no basis to state that he will definitely miss Week 2.

At the same time, his limited participation means his status should be considered uncertain until Houston provides an official game designation.

Nico Collins Week 1 performance

Collins was heavily involved in Houston’s passing attack during the season opener.

His Week 1 numbers included:

• 7 receptions
• 75 receiving yards
• 1 touchdown
• 10 targets

His performance demonstrated how prominently he features in the Texans’ passing offense.

That workload also explains why his hamstring status is a major storyline heading into Week 2.

What to watch next

The biggest updates for Collins will come from the Texans’ practice reports.

Fans should watch for three things:

Practice participation: An increase from limited participation would provide more information about his recovery.

Hamstring testing: The results of the reported testing should help establish how serious the injury is.

Official game designation: Houston’s final injury report will provide the clearest indication of whether Collins is available for the Bengals matchup.

Until those updates arrive, his status remains unresolved.

Conclusion

The latest Nico Collins injury news confirms that the Houston Texans wide receiver is dealing with a hamstring problem ahead of Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Collins was limited in Wednesday’s practice and was reportedly undergoing further testing to determine the severity of the injury. He has not been officially ruled out, but his status for Sunday’s game remains uncertain.

His practice participation later in the week should provide a clearer indication of whether he will play. Collins is particularly important to Houston after catching seven passes for 75 yards and a touchdown in Week 1.

For now, the most accurate update is that Nico Collins is injured with a hamstring issue, but he has not been ruled out for Week 2.

FAQs

Is Nico Collins injured?

Yes. Collins is dealing with a hamstring injury and was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice.

What happened to Nico Collins?

Collins developed a hamstring issue during the week and was limited during the Texans’ Wednesday practice. Additional testing was reportedly being conducted.

Will Nico Collins play against the Bengals?

His status is uncertain. He had not been officially ruled out as of September 17, 2026.

Is Nico Collins playing Sunday?

There was no final confirmation of his availability at the latest update. His practice participation and final game designation will determine whether he plays.

What injury does Nico Collins have?

Collins is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Has Nico Collins had a hamstring injury before?

Yes. He missed five games in 2024 because of a hamstring injury.

Who could replace Nico Collins?

Kayshon Boutte and Jaylin Noel could receive additional opportunities if Collins is unable to play.

What were Nico Collins’ Week 1 stats?

Collins caught seven passes for 75 yards and one touchdown on 10 targets against the Buffalo Bills.