With Nico Collins out, it’s next man up for Texans

The Texans have arguably the deepest receiver unit in the NFL this season.

That theory will be tested shortly after the Texans announce that star receiver Nico Collins will be on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury. Collins will have to miss at least the next four games, which means veteran Stefon Diggs and second-year receiver Tank Dell will have to carry more of the receiving load.

“It’s like always in the NFL, there are always injuries that happen in our game and it’s an opportunity for other guys to step up and make the most of their opportunity. That’s what the League is about,” said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans. “A lot of guys who have stepped in when other guys are out, they’ve made a name for themselves and made some big plays in the League. So, we’re looking for the same thing for whoever it may be. Guys just owning their opportunity.”

Collins’ void could be particularly hard to fill given the connection he and quarterback C.J. Stroud have established over the last year. Collins is the NFL’s top receiver in yards with 567 yards and is tied for third in receptions with 32 so far this season.

While Collins can’t return for at least four games, hamstring injuries can be tricky. Collins has been dealing with a lingering hamstring issue for a while, but it became a bigger issue Sunday when he tweaked it on the 67-yard touchdown reception against the Bills.

Collins left to get checked out and didn’t return to the game. The Texans appear determined to give him time to get healed.

“Unfortunate that we’ll not have Nico,” Ryans said. “Great player, been a great player all year for us. Best receiver in the League. But he’ll take the time to get healthy. He’ll be back for us. So, encouraged by that news. He’ll be back at some point this season.”

In the meantime, the focus will be on Diggs, whose connection with Stroud is evolving, and Dell. Both receivers have explosive play capabilities and they will be on even more of a display beginning Sunday against the New England Patriots.

Diggs, a Pro Bowl receiver, was brought in this summer from Buffalo to provide leadership and another receiving threat for Stroud. He will now have the spotlight he desires.

“I think he is great,” Stroud said. “I definitely think that he is already a leader, but you can tell in practice today he knows his responsibility now with Nico out.

“That is really with all of them, everybody has to step up, even myself included to pick up the slack where Nico isn’t playing. We definitely just have to hold each other accountable and just be better at that. He is definitely going to be at the forefront of that.”

The same goes for Dell, who has been electric at moments this season. The offense will also be able to lean on Xavier Hutchinson, John Metchie III and Robert Woods, who’ve all displayed the ability to make plays.

“Losing Nico, everybody has to get going. And so, we need everybody,” said Ryans, whose team sits atop the AFC South at 4-1. “Everybody has to step up and own their role, so we’ll see who that’ll be for us Sunday. We don’t know right now, today, who’s going to make those plays, you never know and that’s what’s exciting about our game.

“Any given Sunday, different guys being playmakers, stepping up, making plays.”