Texans could be reinforced by Nico Collins, Ed Ingram vs. Cowboys

Reinforcements, pivotal ones, could be on the immediate horizon for the Texans' moribund offense.

Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins and starting right guard Ed Ingram are trending toward being back for a Sunday home game against the Dallas Cowboys.

"We're hopeful to get both guys back this week," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said.

Without Collins for the past two games due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain, the offense has struggled mightily in consecutive losses for the winless Texans.

And the running game has been stonewalled without Ingram, the highest paid offensive lineman on the roster with a three-year, $37.5 million contract, due to a groin injury. With Ingram out of the lineup and replaced by former Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller, the Texans have combined for just 130 rushing yards in the past two games.

Collins is the only consistently dangerous wide receiver on the roster with Jayden Higgins out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

In Collins' absence, the passing game hasn't hit the mark.

Collins caught seven passes for 75 yards on 10 targets with one touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in a 36-31 defeat. Over the past two games, the Texans have scored just 23 combined points in losses to the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals.

Tight end Dalton Schultz leads the Texans with 19 catches for 205 yards on 25 targets.

In an expanded role with 21 targets, wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson has just nine catches for 121 yards. He did have a great sliding catch late in a 19-17 loss to the Colts on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The passing game, despite quarterback C.J. Stroud delivering some sharp throws for 794 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions, hasn't found its rhythm.

"It hurts not having Nico out there," Ryans said. "He's a big part of what we do offensively, comes explosive plays. But, also for us, it's how we scheme things up, scheme it up. We had some shots. We've gotten explosives from other guys besides Nico. We found a way to generate those. We like to generate more because we know explosives is how you score points."

The Texans haven't been able to get Jaylin Noel more involved despite his 4.39 speed. He has five catches for 101 yards on nine targets. Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, acquired in a trade from the New England Patriots, has six catches for 79 yards on 10 targets.

And Jared Wayne has just four catches for 65 yards on 12 targets and has had dropped passes, as has Hutchinson.

"I think like that's something that we're lacking right now is just explosives, and too many three-and-outs," Stroud said. "But I think that was key in that drive. Hutch made a heck of a grab. Boutte had a great catch, two of them. So, we’ve got to find a way to generate more explosives, I believe.”

What's wrong with the offense? No running game to speak of. And Stroud has already been sacked 10 times in three starts.

“Honestly, it could be a rolodex of things," Stroud said. "I can't really pinpoint it. I’ve got to watch the tape, but I just think we’ve got to be aggressive. We can't just wait to the end. But I believe that we can, if we find ways to generate more explosives and flip the field or just find points, like those are the type of games that we need to win. I thought we fought, but, at the same time, I think there's a lot of things that need to be fixed.”

NOTES: Three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney is regarded as week to weak due to a bone bruise in his knee. ... Wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals' 53-man roster, leaving the Texans' practice squad, per a league source. Tinsley wasn't elevated from the practice squad for any of the Texans' first three game. He caught two touchdowns last season for Cincinnati.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL insider for KPRC 2 and Sports Talk 790. His YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AaronWilsonSport

Texans unveil Forever H-Town documentary at River Oaks Theatre

The Texans unveiled the first part of a four-part documentary series celebrating their 25th anniversary as a franchise during a red-carpet event at the River Oaks Theatre on Monday night.

The first part was devoted to telling the story about the origins of the expansion franchise founded by the late Bob McNair and includes interviews with inaugural coach Dom Capers, general manager Charley Casserly along with principal owner Cal McNair, chief community officer Hannah McNair and current head coach and former Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans, Texans three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, inaugural Texans defensive tackle Seth Payne and Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Johnson,

Among the elements featured during the first part of the documentary: how Bob McNair landed an NFL franchise after years of work and a hefty $700 million expansion franchise fee, the excitement from the city of Houston to have a football team again after the Oilers' move to Nashville by owner Bud Adams and how McNair asked for Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt's blessing to name the team the Texans. Originally, the Chiefs were the Dallas Texans.

"His parents did such an incredible job of building that foundation, not just on the field, but off the field," Texans chief community officer Hannah McNair said while standing with Cal McNair, the principal owner and CEO. "Seeing that come to life with the celebration of 25 years and all those years captured is really incredible. We've challenged ourselves, continue to challenge ourselves to get better everywhere, and this is an example of that."

The Texans announced the launch of Hustle Town Studio, a Houston-based entertainment studio for developing original content.

"Storytelling is so important," Texans team president Mike Tomon said. "That's how you engage with your fan base. It's not just about Sundays. It's about being part of the community and having the deepest connection we can with our fans. To do that, it's about the stories around the game. It's about the stories around the city."

Texans senior vice president and chief marketing officer Doug Vosik is excited about the finished product.

"It's going to pull on your heartstrings a bit," Vosik said. "You're going to see the building of the team, the stadium. What an emotional journey to go down that whole path and see all those things. I think the fans are going to love it when they see it. 

The Texans have qualified for the playoffs the past three seasons under coach DeMeco Ryans' leadership. This year, just like last year, they're off to an 0-3 start. After entering the season with Super Bowl ambitions, the Texans are off to a disappointing start.

"We'd rather be 3-0 than 0-3, certainly," Cal McNair said. "We have been in this situation. DeMeco's really good at keeping the team together, working hard. And these games are coming down to a play or two. And we just want to flip them our way and have a different result. Hopefully, we see that starting Sunday."

And Hannah McNair continues to grow in her role in the family's stewardship of a franchise launched by the late Bob McNair and Janice S. McNair.

"She means the world to me," Cal McNair said. "I think she's really helped me in a lot of ways. I could go through a whole list. She's been a big impact in my life, both on and off the field. She's been a terrific complement to me."

NOTE: Tomon said that the planned sports and entertainment and team training facility in Bridgeland called Toro District will have a groundbreaking announcement in the fourth quarter of the year. "We're on schedule to invite everybody here for training camp in 2029," Tomon said.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL insider for KPRC 2 and Sports Talk 790. His YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AaronWilsonSport