Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins spoke to The Mirror U.S. about his injury in 2024, looking forward to 2025, and the strengths of quarterback C.J. Stroud
Nico Collins established himself as the Texans’ most devastating offensive weapon in 2024(Image: Getty Images)
A lot has changed in 12 months.
In the offseason ahead of the 2024 NFL season, the Houston Texans were perhaps the league’s most anticipated team. After C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. won Rookie of the Year honors as the franchise reached the playoffs, the Texans refused to rest on their laurels.
The AFC South franchise was active in the trade market, moving for Buffalo Bills receiver Stefon Diggs and Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon. For many, the Texans represented the greatest threat to the Kansas City Chiefs’ hopes of escaping the AFC and winning an unprecedented third Super Bowl.
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The Texans started 2-0 for the first time since 2016, and tallied a 5-1 record for the first time since 2012. However, in the Week 5 win over the Bills, Nico Collins suffered an ill-timed hamstring injury.
Collins was leading the NFL in receiving yards with 567 when he went down, and would return six weeks later for the trip to face the Dallas Cowboys. Speaking exclusively to The Mirror U.S. at The Madden Bowl, Collins said: “It was frustrating, but that’s football.
“Injuries are a part of the game. It’s easy to say that when you’re on the other side, and obviously I was playing some of the best ball of my life at the time. But you have to keep the right mentality and focus on the things you can control, so I got back wanting to continue showing I’m the best receiver in the league.”
Collins returned to the lineup and helped the Texans finish as division winners with a 10-7 record. The 26-year-old tallied 68 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games across the 2024 season before inspiring Houston to a Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers with 122 yards and a touchdown in the 32-12 victory.
However, the Texans came undone against the Chiefs and now find themselves entering the 2025 season almost flying under the radar. Much of the hype surrounding Stroud has calmed, which seems to surprise Collins, as he couldn’t wait to praise his quarterback ahead of his third season in the NFL.
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C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins threatened to be the most lethal quarterback-receiver tandem in the NFL before the receiver’s injury(Image: Getty Images)
“He has leadership, and the mindset to lead a team and drive us downfield no matter what,” Collins said. “His work ethic and the way he goes about his business every day, it’s impressive to see – coming from a young guy like he is and leading a team to the playoffs and playoff wins, it’s damn impressive. He’s special.”
Aside from a trade to acquire safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson from the Super Bowl champion Eagles, the Texans have enjoyed a relatively quiet offseason. DeMeco Ryans’ team is chasing a third successive division title – but the Texans are fixed on striking forward and reaching higher goals come the playoffs.
In each of the last two seasons, the Texans have won a Wild Card clash and then fallen in the Divisional Round. So, in the eyes of Collins, what does he need to do to help the Texans get over the hump?
“We need to finish games strong, man. We have a really talented team, led by a great quarterback and a better man. It’s just about experience with us. We’ve consistently made it to the playoffs, keep coming back, and keep winning games, but there are some great teams out there, too. We just need to win when it matters the most at the backend of the season.
“In 2025, I just gotta find ways to get better and ride my momentum from the last season. I feel like I’m in the peak of my career, and yet there’s so much room for improvement in my game. It’s exciting. I can’t wait to go.”
Collins and the Texans begin their 2025 training camp on Wednesday, July 23.