HOUSTON – Texans wide receiver Nico Collins practiced for the second consecutive day after missing one game with a strained calf.
He was limited again.
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Collins is trending toward playing Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, per league sources.
Collins is the leading receiver on the roster with 60 receptions for 1,004 yards and six touchdowns. His return should provide a boost to an offense being led by veteran quarterback Case Keenum again with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud remaining out with a concussion as he continues to deal with common concussion symptoms, including a sensitivity to light. Keenum is set to start against the Browns for his second consecutive game with the first-team offense, according to league sources.
Stroud was not medically cleared and didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday.
Meanwhile, starting safety and team captain Jimmie Ward returned to practice after being diagnosed with a concussion during Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans.
Ward has 47 tackles this season with one forced fumble and no interceptions.
“He’s doing better, improving,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s still in protocol.”
Keenum, 35, led the Texans to a 19-16 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans. He threw a touchdown and passed for 239 yards with one interception returned
“The thing that’s helped Case the most I think is experience,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “When you’ve played the position for such a long time, you have to have that experience. But it’s also that experience that gives you confidence. When you’ve done it multiple times, you’ve seen multiple defenses and how teams try to attack you, nothing should shock Case.
“He’s seen a little bit of everything. He’s calm, he does a great job of operating presnap. Does a great job of commanding the huddle and making the other guys around him better.”
Also returning to practice: Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee, rest), wide receivers John Metchie III (illness) and offensive guard Shaq Mason (calf, rest) and tight end Brevin Jordan (illness).
Not practicing and not expected to play against the Browns, per sources: rookie defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (high-ankle sprain) and linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring strain),
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (hip) was limited along with linebacker Denzel Perryman (Achilles) on Wednesday.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com