Quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are looking to end the 2025 regular season with a win, and that means defeating the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18. Stroud and the Texans’ task got more complicated on game day, though.
The Texans announced their list of game-day inactives, and there were some notable names, particularly regarding Stroud’s supporting cast.
Most notable among them was arguably wide receiver Nico Collins.
C.J. Stroud Gets Update on Nico Collins for Texans Finale
GettyNico Collins #12 of the Houston Texans reacts after a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals.
Collins has become Stroud’s top target, is a back-to-back Pro Bowler, and has logged 1,000-plus receiving yards in three straight seasons for the Texans. However, Collins will not take the field with Stroud and the Texans versus the Colts.
Word of the Texans’ decision on Collins came down roughly one hour before they released their list of inactives.
The good news is that Collins will be ready to go for the postseason.
“Texans WR Nico Collins will be a healthy scratch today vs. the Colts, per source,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported in a post on X on January 4, officially setting the stage for the veteran to miss his second game of the season.
Per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson, Collins “doesn’t have an injury, a source emphasized,” though he noted the wideout missed the first practice of Week 18.
Stroud and the Texans defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Week 8 without Collins.
The most important thing is health for the postseason. After their proactive decision on Collins, how the Texans handle the rest of their starters will be something to monitor, since they still need help to win the AFC South.
If the Jacksonville Jaguars get out to an early lead over the Tennessee Titans, it would make little sense for Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans to leave Stroud and the starters in.
Texans OL Remains in Flux
GettyAireontae Ersery #79 of the Houston Texans takes the field during player introductions before facing the Tennessee Titans
After having to battle without both of his offensive tackles in the Texans’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17, Stroud will get one of them back versus the Colts.
“#Texans get rookie left tackle Aireontae Ersery back today after missing one game after surgery for broken, dislocated thumb,” Wilson reported on X on January 4. “Right tackle Trent Brown practiced this week, but still working up to returning to game action.”
Brown was among the Texans’ list of inactives on Sunday morning.
Nevertheless, Stroud getting his blindside protector back in Ersery is a significant development with the postseason right around the corner.
Tytus Howard, typically the Texans’ starting left guard, will slide over to right tackle, where he has started before, including in Brown’s place last week. Jarrett Patterson will likely take over for Howard on the interior again, too.
Texans Shut Down 4-Time Pro Bowler for Finale
GettyNick Chubb #21 of the Houston Texans looks on during a game against the Denver Broncos.
In addition to Brown and Collins, whose absences are not great news for Stroud, the Texans also announced that cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Jamal Hill, quarterback Graham Mertz, running back Nick Chubb, and wide receiver Braxton Berrios.
Of those, the only true surprise is Chubb, who is 94 rushing yards from triggering a $250,000 contract bonus and was not on the Texans’ injury report in any capacity leading up to game day.
Chubb is a pending free agent, but the Texans also need him healthy for the postseason.
He has battled injuries in recent seasons, so this move makes sense for the four-time Pro Bowl playmaker in his age-30 season. Stroud and the Texans will turn to rookie fourth-round pick Woody Marks and late-season breakout Jawhar Jordan, a sixth-round selection in 2024.
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