Day 2 of the divisional playoffs opens in the AFC with the New England Patriots hosting the Houston Texans after both teams advanced in contrasting fashion. The Patriots controlled the wild-card game, holding the Los Angeles Chargers to 207 total yards and one third-down conversion.
The Texans’ defense again set the tone, comfortably handling Pittsburgh despite three offensive turnovers. The matchup will now focus on the Texans’ receiving corps and how C.J. Stroud’s passing game recalibrates in a high‑leverage road setting. However, the Texans will miss the service of their star wide receiver, Nico Collins.
Latest Update on Nico Collins Injury vs. Patriots
Nico Collins will not play in the divisional round. The Texans ruled their top wide receiver out on the final injury report after he entered concussion protocol following a hard landing late in the third quarter against Pittsburgh. He did not practice on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday while progressing through the league’s five‑step return‑to‑play process.
Collins closed the regular season with 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns, marking his third consecutive 1,000‑yard campaign and tying the franchise record for such streaks. In PFSN’s WR Impact Metrics, Collins received an impact score of 83.1 that earned him a grade of B.
He entered this postseason averaging 91.8 receiving yards per game across his playoff appearances (minimum four games), underscoring his value as Stroud’s primary explosive-play target and a consistent chain mover on play‑action and intermediate crossers. Houston also ruled wideout Justin Watson out due to concussion protocol, further tightening the rotation.
Team messaging indicates Collins could be evaluated for a potential return if the Texans advance to the AFC Championship Game and he clears protocol, but for today, he is out, and the passing plan adjusts accordingly.
C.J. Stroud To Rely on Texans’ WR Depth in Absence of Star WRs
The Texans’ depth at wide receiver has stepped in repeatedly this season and will be central today. Christian Kirk, who delivered eight catches for 144 yards and a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers, profiles as the primary veteran option. Rookie Jayden Higgins has grown into a larger role since midseason, posting multiple seven‑plus‑target games and five touchdowns, offering size and catch‑point strength outside.
Xavier Hutchinson produced a career‑best year with 35 receptions and 428 yards and has previously led the team in receiving when Collins was unavailable, including a 69‑yard, one‑touchdown performance in Week 8. Jaylin Noel flashed with four receptions for 77 yards on Monday Night Football earlier in the season and provides vertical and slot flexibility.
Braxton Berrios adds situational depth and return experience. Stroud has shown he can sustain production without Collins, most notably in the Week 8 win over San Francisco (30‑of‑39, 318 yards, two touchdowns), by distributing efficiently to multiple targets and leaning on route spacing and timing.
With Watson also out, expect Houston to elevate tight end Dalton Schultz’s chain‑moving volume, deploy motion for clean releases, and mix perimeter isolations with in‑breakers to stress New England’s leverage rules. Protection and third‑down execution will be decisive against a defense that limited explosive plays and controlled passing windows last week.
