Nico Collins isn’t worried about a slow start. His reps will come in time whenever the Houston Texans feel he’s the only player that can transend a game when the numbers are crunching.
“I ain’t worried about it, man,” Collins told Houston Chronicle’s Sam Warren earlier this week. “It’s just Week 1, Week 2. It’s a marathon. There’s plenty of opportunities to get better and to grow. That’s my mindset.”
Last season, Collins came firing out of the gate, setting the tone for the 2024 season. Over the first five games, the Pro Bowler caught 33 passes for 450 yards and three touchdowns as the Texans jumped out to a 4-1 start.
A hamstring injury sidelined him for five weeks, leading to a regression from his projected 2,000-yard season. Even though Collins didn’t finish as the league-leader in receiving yards, he managed to post a second 1,000-yard campaign and help Houston reach the postseason with a second division title.
Fast forward a year and Collins has been quiet to begin the year. Last week in the Texans’ 14-9 loss against the Los Angeles Rams, he totaled three catches for 25 yards on five targets. That receiving total was his lowest in a fully healthy campaign since his rookie year.
“It’s hard to bounce back when you’re 2nd-and-15, 3rd-and-15,” Collins said. “Those are hard plays to get back on track. So, I feel like as an offense, we’ve got to continue to click, continue to find that groove. Then when you find that groove, then (the balls) are gonna come.”
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to town, the plan is to get Collins more involved. Houston will be without its No. 2 receiver Christian Kirk for a second straight game, along with tight end Cade Stover, limiting C.J. Stroud’s arsenal even further.
Of course, that was the plan last week against Los Angeles. That didn’t happen, but neither Collins nor his quarterback is concerned. Stroud believes the Pro Bowler is poised for a dominant night in front of the hometown crowd.
“Every dog has his day and Nico’s growling at the mouth like a rottweiler trying to get that ball,” Stroud said. “So, I’m excited to see it. I’m always looking for No. 12. That’s never a question. He’ll be all right.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on ABC.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans WR Nico Collins not concern with slow start, following ‘marathon’ mindset
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
