Houston Texans star wide receiver Nico Collins will miss Sunday’s Week 3 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts due to a hamstring injury. Adam Schefter reported the ruling on September 25, 2026, marking the second consecutive week the team plays without its top target.
The Houston Texans enter Week 3 searching for their first win of the season while missing a vital piece of their offense. The two-time Pro Bowler has recorded three consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards, making his absence a heavy burden for an 0-2 squad.
Betting Odds Shift for Texans at Colts
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The roster setback immediately altered expectations in the betting markets for Sunday’s AFC South divisional clash. Earlier in the week, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Texans as 2.5-point favorites over the Indianapolis Colts. Once Collins was officially ruled out on Friday, September 25, 2026, the sportsbook shifted the line, moving Houston down to 1.5-point favorites. Both teams share identical 0-2 records and desperate needs for a conference win.
Xavier Hutchinson, Dalton Schultz and Stroud’s Short-Handed Targets
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With Tank Dell and Nico Collins both sidelined, quarterback C.J. Stroud must lean on alternative playmakers in the passing game. The team expects Xavier Hutchinson, Kayshon Boutte, and Jaylin Noel to step up as the primary wide receiver options. Meanwhile, tight end Dalton Schultz has already established himself as a reliable safety blanket, drawing 22 targets over the first two weeks and catching 16 passes for 175 yards.
During last week’s game without Collins, Schultz hauled in 12 of his 14 targets for 140 yards. Last week, the Colts defense allowed Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce to secure nine catches on 11 targets for 101 yards and a touchdown.
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