HOUSTON – Nico Collins is primed for an increased workload Sunday against the Tennessee Titans in his second game back from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for five games.
As explosive as he looked against the Dallas Cowboys, especially on a touchdown burst on a screen play that was called back due to a penalty, the Texans’ star wide receiver emphasized that’s just the preview of what he plans to do in the second half of the season.
The Texans had Collins on a reduced role Monday night as he caught four passes for 54 yards on seven targets. He appeared in 47 percent of the offensive snaps, 30 overall, and 11 less than wide receiver Tank Dell and nine less than wide receiver John Metchie III.
“I’m feeling good, man,” Collins told KPRC 2. “I can’t wait for it. We’ve got to keep building. It felt good to be back out there with the guys. Another week under my belt and I keep working.
“They definitely showed love. The entire game, they took care of me. I really appreciate that. They’re getting me back into my groove. They’re easing me in.”
At 6-foot-4, 222 pounds with 4.44 speed in the 40-yard dash, Collins represents the prototype NFL wide receiver. His speed and acceleration, especially for a player of his dimensions, are incredible. He reached a speed of 21.89 miles per hour on a route against the Indianapolis Colts earlier this season.
During his convalescence, Collins spent a lot of time working on honing his speed.
“I’ve been working hard, working on my speed,” Collins said. “I feel like that really just gave me time to work on myself, get bigger, get faster, get stronger. I’m a 21 miles per hour guy. That’s average for me.
“I’m excited, second week back with the guys, division game. I felt great, getting my groove back, getting my timing back with C.J., getting that rust off, getting my lungs back, getting my legs back I can’t wait to play Sunday and have fun with the guys and have that energy from the fans.”
Collins is rebuilding his timing and chemistry with Stroud.
“For sure, I feel like we got on time,” Collins said. “It’s repetition, so you don’t think about it on Sundays.”
Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik emphasized there wasn’t a specific number heading into the game they wanted to limit Collins to, going back to feel for the game and what’s best for him.
“We didn’t really go into the game with any sort of snap count but, obviously, anytime you get a player like that back you are taking notes of, how do we want to use him, how do we want to make sure we are being smart and if this game becomes a critical game at the end, we want him on the field,” Slowik said. “So, how do we make sure we are getting the best version of Nico when that happens?
“We are always going to approach it as we are going to try to be smart. The more often you can get a really good player on the field one hundred percent and not winded and being able to roll, we are going to do that as often as we can.”
On Collins’ nullified touchdown, a yellow flag littered the field. Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil was ruled to be an ineligible receiver downfield with officials penalizing him and wiping out Collins’ touchdown. After the game, Tunsil insisted he wasn’t guilty of the infraction. Nonetheless, Collins’ speed and moves were on full display.
