Texans Get Massive Nico Collins Update, And It Comes With Bombshell Trade Rumor
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Nico Collins has missed the last two games with a hamstring strain, but the Houston Texans wide receiver took a positive step Wednesday. He returned to practice as the team prepares for its Week 4 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
The development comes at a time when broader questions about his long-term future have started to surface.
Practice Return Arrives With Contract Questions
Collins suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain during practice after Week 1 and sat out contests against the Bengals and Colts. Head coach DeMeco Ryans had expressed hope that the Pro Bowl receiver could return for the Cowboys game. Reports confirm he participated Wednesday, offering the first on-field activity in two weeks.
At the same time, Houston Chronicle reporter Jonathan M. Alexander addressed the team’s potential trade-deadline stance and roster value. He noted that Collins’ contract expires after the 2027 season and that the wideout has yet to receive a new deal. Alexander suggested the Texans could listen to trade calls given Collins’ remaining value.
“I think Nico Collins is someone the Texans could consider trading when teams call again to gauge their interest. While I know they love him, his contract expires after the 2027 season, and he has yet to receive a new deal. His trade value is still great,” Alexander wrote.
He quickly added that the team would need confidence in the rest of the receiver group first. Jayden Higgins, expected to develop as a top option, remains out for the season after tearing his ACL in a joint practice.
Cap Pressure And Depth Concerns Shape Outlook
Collins’ current deal, restructured earlier, carries a manageable hit relative to his production of three straight 1,000-yard seasons. Yet the Texans face looming salary-cap decisions, especially if they extend quarterback C.J. Stroud. Alexander pointed out that several key contracts, including Collins’, could force difficult choices by 2028.
The wide receiver room already shows thin depth. Kayshon Boutte has produced modest numbers since arriving in a trade, while Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson and Jared Wayne have yet to establish themselves as clear No. 2 options. Tank Dell continues working back from a previous injury. These factors make any decision on Collins more complicated.
Alexander stressed that no trade is imminent and that the Texans have shown no active desire to move their top receiver. Still, the combination of an approaching contract window, injury history, and depth questions keeps the possibility on the table. Collins’ return to practice keeps the focus on the immediate schedule while the bigger picture remains unsettled.
