NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is officially inactive due to a strained calf. He was listed as questionable on the injury report, but didn’t practice all week and wasn’t expected to play.
The Texans’ other inactives include quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion), offensive tackle George Fant (hip), cornerback Kris Boyd, defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (high ankle sprain), linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring strain) and running back Mike Boone.
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Wide receiver Noah Brown (knee contusion) was also listed as questionable, but is active along with cornerback Steven Nelson (wrist), offensive guard Shaq Mason (calf) and linebacker Henry To’oTo’o (hamstring).
Texans tight end Dalton Schultz participated fully all week and is set to play Sunday after missing two games with a strained hamstring.
With Fant out, Charlie Heck will replace him at right tackle. Heck began the season on the reserve-physically unable to perform list with a back issue as sciatica went down his leg all the way to his foot.
“It’s been good having Charlie back at practice,” Ryans said. “Charlie has done a good job stepping in for us. Charlie is a smart player, tough player. He’s played a lot of football. Pleased with where Charlie is, it was a tough road for him to start. I’m just encouraged and pleased to have him back healthy. It’s a testament to Charlie and the work he put in. That speaks to him and who he is.”
Collins leads the Texans with a career-high 60 receptions for 1,004 yards and six touchdowns. Without Collins, the Texans’ passing game nosedived against the Jets while being sacked four times and hit six times overall. There wasn’t much separation created by the receiving corps without Collins.
With Collins out, the Texans will go with Brown, Woods, Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie III as their primary wide receivers. They could elevate wide receiver Steven Sims Jr. from the practice squad.
“Our wide receivers have done a great job all year,” Ryans said. “Coach Ben McDaniels has done a great job with that group. They’re on the details of their job and their assignments. Really happy with the receiver corps. We have a lot of guys who have stepped in and stepped up for us. They’ve done that this week as well.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.