Nico Collins’ Continued Absence Puts More Pressure on Texans’ Running Game Against Colts

The Houston Texans haven't officially ruled Nico Collins out for Sunday's AFC South matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, but Thursday didn't bring the news Houston fans wanted. Collins remained out of practice with the hamstring injury that kept him from playing against Cincinnati, while starting guard Ed Ingram and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney were also absent for a second consecutive day. If Collins can't go, Houston shouldn't respond by asking C.J. Stroud to throw another 50-plus passes. The answer needs to come from the running game.

Houston's official Wednesday injury report listed Collins as a nonparticipant with the hamstring injury he suffered before Week 2. He didn't practice Thursday either, marking his fourth consecutive missed practice dating to last week.

That's obviously concerning for Sunday.

The good news is Houston has not placed Collins on injured reserve, and his status remains something to watch when the Texans release their final game designations Friday.

But let's be realistic. If Collins can't practice Friday, asking him to suddenly line up Sunday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium would be a pretty aggressive turnaround.

Houston already played Cincinnati without him, and the results were mixed. Stroud threw for 353 yards. Dalton Schultz caught 12 passes for 140 yards. The Texans moved the football. They scored six points and that's the part that matters.

Through two games, Stroud has completed 56 of 93 passes for 627 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Houston has generated 755 total offensive yards and 48 first downs.

Those numbers don't sound like an 0-2 offense. Then you reach the rushing statistics.

David Montgomery has 70 yards on 26 carries, an average of 2.7 yards per attempt. Woody Marks has 50 yards on 17 carries, averaging 2.9.

That's where Sunday's game needs to change.

Houston has 184 rushing yards as a team, but only 120 have come from Montgomery and Marks. Stroud has contributed another 44 himself.

Your quarterback shouldn't have to supplement a struggling traditional running game while also throwing 55 passes.

I'm not blaming Montgomery for averaging 2.7 yards per carry. Running backs need somewhere to go.

Houston rebuilt significant portions of its offensive line during the offseason, but injuries are already testing that reconstruction. Ingram missed Week 2 with his groin injury and hasn't practiced Wednesday or Thursday this week.

There was at least one encouraging development Thursday and thats starting right tackle Trent Brown returned to practice after missing Wednesday with knee and wrist issues. Dalton Schultz also returned after receiving a rest day Wednesday.

Getting Brown back would help. But whoever starts up front Sunday has to create something for Montgomery. Give me second-and-6 instead of second-and-9. Give Stroud a believable play-action fake.

Make Indianapolis' linebackers respect the backfield. Houston's offense desperately needs easier football.

Schultz has quietly become Houston's leading receiver through two games with 16 receptions for 175 yards.

That's impressive, but I don't want the offensive game plan becoming "find Dalton."

Jaylin Noel has only three receptions, but those catches have produced 84 yards, an average of 28 yards per reception. Kayshon Boutte has four catches for 58 yards, Xavier Hutchinson has six for 69 and Jared Wayne has three for 45.

There's enough receiving talent to distribute the football. Nick Caley just needs the running game to give those receivers better situations. Third-and-5 opens the entire playbook and third-and-11 invites Indianapolis to attack Stroud.

That's a huge difference.

If Collins can't play, don't panic. The Texans don't need rely on Stroud for 55 passes again.

Don't spend Sunday chasing explosive plays because your best receiver is standing on the sideline. Truthfully, we should rotate running the football a bit more, and more importantly, run it better.

Montgomery came to Houston to give this offense a physical presence. Let Schultz work underneath and allow Noel to stretch the field.

Give Boutte and Hutchinson their opportunities. Then allow Stroud to distribute the football instead of asking him to manufacture the entire offense.

Houston has enough talent to beat Indianapolis without Nico Collins. What it doesn't have is much more room for excuses.

At 0-2, the Texans don't need Stroud to throw the offense onto his back. They need the other 10 guys to finally help him carry it.