Nico Collins has been waiting fairly patiently for the time when he can get back to his craft: running at full speed, cutting on a dime, catching footballs in stride and running away from pursuit.
Now, the Texans wide receiver, arguably the most dangerous downfield threat on the team with Tank Dell out for the season with a broken fibula, made assurances that he’s ready to play and plans to play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns in his return from a strained calf. Collins has been limited in practice each day, is trending in a positive direction, but isn’t considered an absolute lock to return Sunday, per sources. He hasn’t had anywhere close to the workload of the other wide receivers this week in practice.
“It feels good, man, get back to it, pick up where I left off with the guys,” Collins said. “Just looking forward to this week, going to be a great game, man. continue to be myself, attack this rehab so I can feel better and continue to ball out.”
At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds with 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash, the former University of Michigan standout and third-round draft pick represents a size mismatch and has excellent body control, route running skills and hands.
When asked if he’s playing Sunday, Collins replied: ‘Oh yeah, oh yeah.”
Will he be explosive? “Oh yeah, I got to. That’s the only way you can play, especially with that defense. It’s going to be a man game. You’ve got to be explosive. They’ve got a solid secondary.”
Collins has injured his calf twice this season. The first time he got hurt, he missed one game. The second time, against the New York Jets as he went over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career on a 13-yard reception, caused him to miss last Sunday’s overtime win over the Tennessee Titans.
Collins leads the Texans with 60 receptions, 1,004 yards and six touchdowns.
Should Collins return as he plans to Sunday, then he’ll be catching passes from veteran quarterback Case Keenum, per sources, as he’ll replace concussed rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud again after helping the Texans to an overtime win over the Titans.
“Case is a legend, man,” Collins said “Case has been around the game a minute. He knows exactly what he’s doing. We’re building that chemistry.
“We know it’s going to be a different quarterback back there. We’ve got time to build that timing and not miss a beat. I feel like the ball will keep rolling. We’ve got no other choice. The train can’t stop.”
The Browns have the top-ranked pass defense in the NFL and feature outstanding cornerbacks in Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson and Greg Newsome II. Plus, star defensive end Myles Garrett is one of the most dominant players in the league.
“He’s a game-wrecker, a game-changer, for sure,” Collin said. “We’ve got to slow him down. They’re competitive in the secondary. We’ve got to win our routes, four quarters of grinding.
“We know what kind of game it’s going to be. Lot of playmakers all-around. It’s a big game. We know what it takes to win this game. It’s going to take all four quarters and be on the details and continue to be ourselves.”
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790
Photo: Bob Levey / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images