HOUSTON — Nico Collins is aware of what’s at stake as he is set to make his much-anticipated return to the soccer subject after lacking 5 video games with a proper hamstring harm.
Taking part in on prime time additionally provides him a “nice alternative” to remind the world what sort of receiver he was earlier than the harm.
“[I] obtained to go on the market and make the most of my alternatives,” Collins mentioned. “To be able to decide again up, I obtained to ball out when the ball touches my arms. When the ball is within the air, I’ve to do one thing with it.”
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The Houston Texans began 4-1 with Collins, however in his absence they’ve received two video games in 5 weeks, together with a historic loss to the Detroit Lions once they turned the second crew since 1933 to lose when main by 15 factors and gathering 5 interceptions.
When Collins landed on injured reserve following the Texans’ 23-20 win over the Buffalo Payments in Week 5, he was main the NFL in receiving yards (567). His 113.4 yards per recreation stays tops within the league, the Texans (6-4) are hoping he provides a spark for a struggling offense in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys (3-6) on “Monday Night time Soccer” (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC).
Collins got here off injured reserve and practiced the Friday earlier than the Lions recreation, however Houston determined he wanted another week. He practiced day by day main as much as recreation day with the Cowboys, and he informed ESPN, “Hell yeah, I am taking part in” earlier than being faraway from the harm report Saturday.
Coach DeMeco Ryans mentioned he desires to see quarterback C.J. Stroud “lower it unfastened” and “rip it,” because the second-year quarterback tries to bounce again from the third multi-interception recreation of his profession.
“Getting Nico again is at all times very nice for all of us,” Ryans mentioned. “Nico’s been one in all our greatest gamers when he was wholesome, so it is nice to have him again, nice to have his presence and the vitality that he brings and in addition the playmaking skill that he brings.”
THE TEXANS’ OFFENSE ranked sixth in complete offense (376.6 yards per recreation) with Collins, however that dipped to 299 yards (twenty fourth) with out the fourth-year receiver — and that is with operating again Joe Mixon speeding for 471 yards (third most) in that stretch. Their 165 passing yards per recreation ranked twenty ninth from Weeks 6-10.
Of their first recreation with out Collins, the offense scored 41 in opposition to the New England Patriots, who at the moment are 3-8. However in Weeks 7-10, the unit averaged 20 factors (sixteenth) and 282.5 complete yards (twenty seventh), and Stroud’s manufacturing tailed off. His QBR of 34.5 ranked twenty seventh, however by way of the primary 5 weeks, he ranked third in passing yards (1,385), tied for tenth in touchdowns (seven) and tenth in QBR (66.2).
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The Texans additionally misplaced their second-leading receiver, Stefon Diggs, to a torn ACL in his proper knee in Week 8 in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts. However even with Diggs, following Collins’ harm, Stroud averaged 187 passing yards from Weeks 6-8 and had a career-low 86 yards within the Texans’ 24-22 loss to the Inexperienced Bay Packers in Week 7.
“I’m very excited to have my man again,” Stroud mentioned. “I’m simply blissful for him to be again with the crew, be part of the locker room once more. They’re in solitude, when gamers are injured, they’re on their very own. So I’m glad he’s simply capable of be across the guys once more and have the ability to do the game that he likes to play.”
Large receiver Tank Dell turned the highest goal when Diggs and Collins had been out, and Dell had 11 catches for 165 yards up to now two video games. With Collins returning, Dell can slide into the No. 2 function, which may make life simpler for him as a result of Collins “opens up the offense.”
“Nico brings so much to the desk,” Dell informed ESPN. “Defenses must account for him. You bought to have eyes on him always. That simply opens up issues not just for the receivers however the run recreation.”
MISSING COLLINS ISN’T the one motive for the offensive woes. The Texans’ move block win charge throughout his absence of 54.8 ranks twenty third, which is why Stroud has been below stress on 46.8% of his dropbacks, second-most amongst starters.
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Collins has helped relieve the stress on Stroud, who has a QBR of 72 with Collins on the sector in comparison with 41 when he is out this season. Stroud has a 133.3 passer ranking when he targets Collins as properly, which ranked sixth amongst duos with no less than 30 targets coming into Week 11, in accordance with Subsequent Gen Stats.
Collins is able to recreate a few of their magic, stating they must “simply proceed to do what we do.”
“When [Stroud’s] again foot hits the bottom, [he’s] letting it rip,” Collins informed ESPN. “There is not any higher feeling than that. Simply blissful to be feeling good and blissful to have the ability to have the chance to play this week.”
The Collins-Stroud connection is also a method the Texans want to interrupt their two-game shedding streak.
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MNF Trailer: Texans vs. Cowboys
Prepare for an electrical Week 11 Monday Night time Soccer conflict when the Texans tackle the Cowboys.
Coming into Week 11, quarterbacks in opposition to the Cowboys are averaging the second-highest passer ranking (105.1) within the NFL, and they’re permitting 210 passing yards per recreation (seventeenth). In addition they enable 362.9 complete yards per recreation (twenty sixth) and 28.8 factors per recreation (second most).
However as a lot as Collins’ return to the sector might be appreciated by his teammates, his absence taught him to understand his alternatives.
“You do not know when it should be your final recreation, you do not know what it’s,” Collins informed ESPN. “I got here on the market robust the primary 4 weeks, then growth [injured], out of nowhere. Now I am lacking time, simply realizing this s— will not be for lengthy. It’s a must to do no matter you’ll be able to to present it your all.”
