Meanwhile, running back Joe Mixon is regarded as day to day in his recovery from a sprained ankle he suffered on an illegal hip drop tackle from Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards. Mixon has missed three consecutive games. Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale have been shouldering the workload in the backfield during his absence.

Ryans was noncommittal on whether Mixon can play this week.

“For Joe and his injury, we will still evaluate that week to week,” Ryans said. “We don’t know, as of right now, I can’t give you that answer, but we will see how Joe improves over the week. He is definitely been improving week to week. He’s been a great job attacking his rehab so we will see where he is as the week goes on. Joe is out because of that, the hip drop tackle, and the NFL is doing a great job of communicating for an entire league of how we want to tackle, how we should tackle.

“And we’re trying to get that out of the game. I think some guys have been fined for making those illegal tackles, but the fine doesn’t get your guy back soon enough. So, it still hurt us that Joe was out and we just want to make sure, as a league, we’re doing a better job of eliminating the hip drop tackle, make sure we’re running our feet as defenders and making sure we just get that out of the game.”

There is concern that safety Jimmie Ward will miss at least a week, if not longer, per sources, after aggravating his groin injury Sunday and being ruled out for the game. Rookie safety Calen Bullock would start in his place if Ward is out. Ward went to the hospital for further examination Sunday after playing in the game and re-injuring his groin after being examined initially for a shoulder stinger in the blue medical tent.

Right tackle Tytus Howard, who missed the game with a hamstring injury and was replaced in the lineup by rookie Blake Fisher as he made his first NFL start, has a positive outlook for return this week, per sources. Howard was preparing to start Sunday before being ruled out in a game-time decision, per sources.

Texans linebacker Christian Harris will remain on injured reserve this week and will not be designated for return. Harris has made steady progress in his recovery from a strained calf.

“Not yet, I am still waiting on Christian,” Ryans said. “He is improving. He is doing well. We actually had Christian down on the sideline (Sunday), which was encouraging to see him down there, see his support, his energy that he brings to our team. We are pulling for him to get back at the right time.

“Whenever we can get Christian back, it’ll be beneficial for everyone. I am excited about his growth and his development. I’m still very encouraged by that, and Christian will pick up right where he left off.”

Collins’ potential absence is a loss for the Texans’ offense. He ranks first in the NFL with 567 receiving yards. He’s tied for third with 32 catches and tied for sixth with three touchdown catches and is on pace to finish the season with 109 catches, 1,928 yards and 10 touchdowns on 153 targets.

“Missing Nico would be very difficult,” Ryans said. “Nico has been the best receiver in the NFL this year. So, do you replace him? No, everybody just steps up and whatever role you’re asked to do, just step up and play your role the proper way. Nobody has to be Nico. There is one Nico. He’s done a great job of that. Now, whoever is next, when your number is called, make the plays that you are supposed to make.”

Collins caught two passes for 78 yards Sunday before getting hurt. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs led the Texans with six catches for 82 yards. Tank Dell caught four passes for 38 yards. And Xavier Hutchinson caught two passes for 31 yards.

“I think he is the best receiver in football,” Texans Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “When he gets out the game, it definitely is tough on us. A lot of things are predicated towards him and planned for him. I definitely do think we still have a lot of other guys who step up too. So, I thought they did a good job doing that.

“I thought Hutch played solid. Really, you have to find a way to win. We did that today. Definitely hope Nico is okay and we can get him back as soon as possible, but I definitely know that we have a lot of depth in that room.”

Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.

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