Star Wide Receiver Nico Collins Suffers Concussion In Texans 30-6 Wildcard Win Over Steelers

The Houston Texans picked up a massive round one playoff win on the road, but not all is good, as Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins got carted off the field due to a concussion.

Collins sustained the injury at the end of the third quarter when he landed on top of his head after a slant route. He immediately pointed toward his head as the receiver was visibly in pain. The Texans’ training staff checked him out in the blue medical tent before carting him back to the locker room for further examination. Collins was quickly ruled out after totaling three catches for 21 yards on seven targets.

This was the second concussion Collins has suffered this season, the first one on October 21 vs the Seattle Seahawks, which forced him to miss one game. This almost certainly puts the 1,000-yard receiver’s availability for the divisional round in doubt.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans said in his post-game press conference, “We’ll see how this week goes” regarding Collins’ status for their matchup against the New England Patriots on a short week.

Collins is an irreplaceable player as the fifth-year wideout led the team with 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. If Collins is unable to go on Sunday, it will be a massive blow for C.J. Stroud and the Texans’ offense, who have struggled this season to consistently put up points.

Stroud will have to rely on veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk, who stepped up in a big way with 144 yards and a touchdown on Monday. Expect to see an increase in targets for Xavier Hutchinson and rookie Jayden Higgins if Collins is sidelined this Sunday.

In the one game without Collins, the Texans beat the San Francisco 49ers 26-15, with Hutchinson leading the receiver room for 69 yards and a touchdown.

Collins signed a three-year, $72.75 million contract extension in May 2024.