
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jack Dempsey/AP/Shutterstock (13412771kn) Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) lines up against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game, in Denver Texans Broncos Football, Denver, United States – 18 Sep 2022
Smith: Getting back Nico & Maliek Collins “will help our team a lot”
Both players were injured in Week 7 and have not played or practiced since until Wednesday.
Houston Texans head coach Lovie Smith spoke with the media Wednesday and gave updates on WR Nico Collins and DL Maliek Collins, both of whom have missed the past two games with injuries. Both players got on the practice field for the first time since Week 7, in a limited capacity.
“To get them back, of course, is big, two guys that we depend on. Maliek Collins, it all kind of starts with most defenses, interior guys, the closest ones to the quarterback. To be able to get Maliek back is big for us. We missed him an awful lot. We’re starting that process. He was limited today, but he’s getting closer to playing. Nico Collins, one of our best players too, big, good target that has to help. Eventually, getting both of those guys back in the mix will help our team a lot, absolutely.”
Smith did not want to get too optimistic about their chances for playing Sunday:
“They practiced today, so try not to look too much into the future. They practiced today.”
While Smith may be playing coy with their statuses, both players getting in limited practices for the first time in two weeks is a positive development for the team. Maliek Collins is one of the team’s top defensive linemen, and Nico Collins has been arguably their best wideout this season.