Nico Collins' Hamstring Injury Creates Fantasy Football Opportunities
The Texans' top receiver is in jeopardy for Week 2, potentially elevating Kayshon Boutte and Dalton Schultz.
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is in danger of missing Sunday's Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a hamstring injury sustained in practice. While the injury is not expected to result in a stint on injured reserve, his availability remains uncertain, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Collins was a key playmaker for the Texans in their season-opening 36-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills, recording seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. His absence would significantly impact Houston's receiving corps, which is already without expected No. 2 receiver Jayden Higgins, who tore his ACL in August.
The potential absence of Collins elevates rookie receiver Kayshon Boutte into a prominent role. Boutte, recently acquired by the Texans, caught one pass for 21 yards on two targets in Week 1. With Collins sidelined, Boutte becomes an intriguing waiver wire target for fantasy football managers, particularly given the Bengals' defense was among the league's worst in passing efficiency last season, allowing 7.5 yards per pass attempt and 6.2 yards per play.
Tight end Dalton Schultz is also expected to see increased targets. However, the Bengals boasted the league's best metrics in expected points allowed to opposing tight ends in the previous season.
Prior to this current injury, Collins has a history of soft-tissue issues, including a hamstring strain that placed him on injured reserve in 2024, as well as calf and groin injuries. The betting line for the Bengals-Texans game has shifted, with Houston moving from a three-point favorite to laying 2.5 points, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding Collins' availability. The projected total for the game is 45.5 points, down from an opening of 46.5.