The Houston Texans celebrated a thrilling victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, improving their record to 4-1. This marks their best start since the 2012 season, when they won their first five games. The win was significant for the team, showcasing their potential as a competitive force this season.
However, the triumph came with some unfortunate news, as wide receiver Nico Collins, who leads the NFL with 567 receiving yards, suffered a hamstring injury. His status for the upcoming game is uncertain, raising concerns about the team’s offensive capabilities.
Collins exited the game after making a spectacular 67-yard touchdown catch late in the first quarter.
Coach DeMeco Ryans was vague regarding Collins’s prospects for Sunday, hinting that the team may have to cope without him for an extended period. “He’s in good spirits, but hamstring injuries typically require a few weeks to heal,” Ryans explained on Monday.
The coaching staff will assess his condition on a weekly basis to determine his return timeline. The absence of Collins would add pressure to an offense that is already missing running back Joe Mixon, who was instrumental in the season opener but has been sidelined since Week 2 due to injury.
In the game against the Bills, the Texans initially built a strong lead of 20-3 but encountered difficulties on offense in the second half after Collins’s injury.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud faced challenges, throwing an interception and fumbling for the first time this season during a fourth-quarter sack, which allowed the Bills to tie the score. Ultimately, Ka’imi Fairbairn secured the win with a 59-yard field goal as time expired.
Reflecting on the game, Stroud acknowledged the team’s struggles in the second half. “The first half went really well. We were executing our game plan effectively,” he said. “But in the second half, we started making mistakes, including penalties. I missed some key reads and had those turnovers, which opened the door for their comeback.”
