Determined to display more prowess, Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins has had an outstanding run in the current season. Despite the Texans holding the No. 8 spot in the AFC and aspiring for a playoff position, the team faced a significant setback with injuries to several key players.
Collins finds himself among the injured stars as the Texans gear up to face the Browns in the Week 16 clash. With fans eagerly anticipating the continuation of the team’s winning streak, the franchise has provided insight into the star receiver’s availability ahead of the crucial Week 16 matchup.
Will Nico Collins play against the Browns?
Despite being listed as questionable for Sunday due to his calf injury, Nico Collins is anticipated to take the field against the Browns, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The 24-year-old wide receiver suffered a calf injury early in the Texans’ Week 14 loss to the New York Jets.
Collins’ last appearance for the Houston Texans was on December 10, during the Week 14 game against the New York Jets. Unfortunately, he exited the game early, managing only one catch for 13 yards.
As of Friday’s update, the 2021 third-round pick is designated as questionable for the Texans’ upcoming game against the Browns. Despite missing Wednesday’s practice, he was spotted on Thursday, suggesting a limited designation for the day, per DK Network.
His injury came as a major blow for the team considering his impressive performance leading up to that week. In the preceding match against the Denver Broncos, Collins recorded 191 yards on nine receptions, securing one touchdown. The week before facing the Jacksonville Jaguars, he achieved 104 yards on seven catches, adding another receiving touchdown to his stats.
Collins is currently having the best season of his budding career. The former Michigan Wolverine has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his three-year professional career. In the 2023–24 season, Collins has recorded an impressive 60 receptions, totaling 1,004 yards and resulting in six touchdowns.
Texans vs Browns match preview
As the NFL playoff picture intensifies, the Houston Texans find themselves in a precarious three-way tie atop the AFC South, sharing an 8-6 record with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Indianapolis Colts. Nevertheless, despite their impressive standing, tiebreakers currently place the Texans on the outside looking in when it comes to postseason aspirations.
In their last outing against the Tennessee Titans, the Texans faced adversity with the absence of key players, including their quarterback, CJ Stroud, and standout wide receiver, Nico Collins. Despite the odds, they secured a thrilling overtime victory with a 19-16 scoreline.
Yet, their upcoming clash against the Cleveland Browns presents a more formidable challenge, given the Browns’ superior 9-5 record and reputation as a formidable opponent, while Stroud is set to miss his second consecutive season.
The Texans robbed their recent triumph against the Titans without the services of their starting quarterback, relying on Case Keenum to lead the charge. Keenum showcased his ability to manage the game effectively, contributing to the team’s success.
On the flip side, one critical aspect that cannot be overlooked is the Browns’ performance on the road. Despite possessing a 2-4 away record, their wins have often required heroics in high-scoring encounters against formidable opponents like the Colts and Ravens. Nevertheless, road losses to the Steelers, Seahawks, Broncos, and Rams highlight areas of vulnerability that the Texans might seek to exploit.
The Browns will enter this matchup fresh from a hard-fought 20-17 victory over the Chicago Bears. With the prowess and three interceptions of their quarterback, Joe Flacco, who was declared the whole season’s starter, the Browns’ elite defense played a pivotal role in securing the win. With a defense allowing 20.6 points per game, the Browns hold the 12th rank in the NFL, complementing their 12th-ranked offense, which averages 22.1 points per game.
In contrast, the Texans boast a potent offensive lineup, ranking 10th in the league with 353.7 total yards per game. Defensively, they sit at 16th, conceding 332.6 total yards per contest in the 2023 season.
As the Texans and Browns lock horns in this pivotal matchup, it promises to be a clash of strengths and vulnerabilities, with playoff implications looming large for both teams. Meanwhile, the Browns’ road struggles, standing at 2-4, could be a focal point for the Texans as they aim to capitalize on their impressive 5-2 home record.
