Nico Collins injury update: Is Texans' WR playing today vs. Patriots?
USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change.
Nico Collins injury update: Is Texans' WR playing today vs. Patriots?
Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAYJanuary 18, 2026 at 8:06 AM
0
Day one of the NFL divisional playoffs is in the books, and we know two of the final four teams that will be playing in conference championship weekend.
Today, we find out who they'll be playing, starting in the AFC.
The New England Patriots kick things off with a home game against the Houston Texans. New England got past the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round with a 16-3 win, their first playoff victory since the Tom Brady era.
A day later, Houston pummeled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 despite quarterback C.J. Stroud's three turnovers. The Texans defense stepped up once again to keep them in contention in the AFC.
Houston managed that win despite missing top wide receiver Nico Collins for most of the game. He exited the game early in the second half after landing hard on his head attempting to catch a pass over the middle of the field.
He was subsequently put into the league's concussion protocol. Here's the latest on whether or not he'll play today against the Patriots:
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fo8okmfdHRvDHl_AjAyGtw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ece3b009de0e7aba961c9dfc2585f6aa class=caas-img data-headline="Best images of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fo8okmfdHRvDHl_AjAyGtw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ece3b009de0e7aba961c9dfc2585f6aa class=caas-img>
1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
Is Nico Collins playing today?
Collins will not take the field against the Patriots today. Houston ruled him out in their final injury report for the week. He's not the only wideout Houston will have to do without. Justin Watson is also out due to concussion protocol.
With Collins sidelined, Stroud will likely have to lean on veteran Christian Kirk - who had a breakout game against Pittsburgh - as well as rookie Jayden Higgins.
If Houston wins their first divisional playoff game in franchise history, Collins could be available for the AFC championship game. He could clear the concussion protocol in time for that.
What is the NFL's concussion protocol?
The NFL breaks its concussion protocol down into five distinct steps. The process is designed to break up the recovery process from a head injury, ensuring a player's safety.
Here are the five steps of the protocol, according to the NFL:
Symptom-limited activity
Aerobic exercise
Football-specific exercise
Club-based non-contact training drills
Full football activity/clearance
Texans WR depth chart
Here's a look at the Texans' WR depth chart:
Nico Collins (injured)
Xavier Hutchinson
Christian Kirk
Jayden Higgins
Jaylin Noel
Justin Watson (injured)
Braxton Berrios
Houston played one game this season without Collins after he suffered a concussion in Week 7; Higgins led the team with eight targets.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nico Collins injury update: Texans WR's status today vs. Patriots
Source: “AOL Sports”
