With their star receiver cleared for the Battle of Texas, C.J. Stroud must ignite a struggling unit to overcome defensive absences and a winless season start.
The Houston Texans will regain their most dangerous offensive weapon Sunday, but they will enter the Battle of Texas without one of the central figures in their defense. Nico Collins is cleared to face the Dallas Cowboys after missing two games with a hamstring injury, while linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair has been ruled out. For an 0-3 team still searching for its identity, that exchange places even more responsibility on C.J. Stroud and the offense.
Collins Is Officially Cleared
Collins progressed from limited participation Wednesday and Thursday to a full practice Friday. The Texans removed him from the injury report, clearing the two-time Pro Bowl receiver to make his first appearance since the Sept. 13 opener against Buffalo.
That is significant.
Collins caught seven passes for 75 yards and a touchdown against the Bills. Houston scored 31 points that afternoon, then managed only 23 combined points in losses to Cincinnati and Indianapolis while he was sidelined.
Collins has recorded three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and enters Sunday with 296 career receptions for 4,422 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Those numbers tell only part of the story.
His presence changes how a defense aligns. Safeties must respect the deep ball. Cornerbacks need help when Collins uses his 6-foot-4 frame against tighter coverage. That should create more space for Dalton Schultz, Jaylin Noel, Kayshon Boutte and the running backs underneath.
The Cowboys added Joey Porter Jr. this week, and he is expected to make his Dallas debut. That creates an entertaining individual matchup, but Houston should not build its plan around avoiding Porter. Collins is too important to become a decoy all afternoon.
Stroud Showed Something in the Fourth Quarter
Houston’s offense was mostly lifeless through three quarters against Indianapolis, but Stroud finally found a rhythm late.
Before two desperation Hail Mary attempts, he completed eight of his first 10 fourth-quarter passes for 114 yards. Five of those completions gained at least 15 yards. The Texans also scored on two of their three fourth-quarter possessions.
That is the version of the offense Houston needs Sunday.
Stroud does not have to throw 55 times, as he did against Cincinnati. He does need to play with purpose. Get the ball out quickly. Challenge Dallas before its pass rush gets comfortable. Use Collins to stretch the coverage instead of asking every route to develop underneath.
Dallas has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 72.6% of their passes for seven touchdowns without an interception through three games. Adding Porter helps, but it does not erase those numbers overnight.
Al-Shaair’s Absence Changes the Defensive Picture
While the offense gets healthier, Houston’s defense loses its middle linebacker and one of its emotional leaders.
Al-Shaair did not practice during the week after aggravating a groin injury against Indianapolis. Safety M.J. Stewart is also out with a knee injury. Defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney and Logan Hall, guard Ed Ingram and linebacker Jake Hansen are questionable.
Hansen’s uncertain status makes the linebacker situation particularly important. Wade Woodaz practiced fully and carries no game designation, but Houston may need to adjust its personnel groupings depending on who is available.
That matters against Dak Prescott.
Dallas enters Sunday with Prescott throwing for 730 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens can stress the outside coverage, while Jake Ferguson works the middle of the field.
Without Al-Shaair, communication becomes a concern. Houston must remain organized before the snap, especially when Dallas uses motion or moves Lamb between the slot and boundary.
The Texans’ secondary is talented enough to handle the challenge. Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter practice regularly against Collins, something coach DeMeco Ryans believes has prepared both corners for Sunday’s matchup.
Still, the offense needs to help by sustaining drives and keeping Prescott on the sideline.
Sunday Carries Historical and Immediate Weight
This will be only the eighth regular-season meeting between Houston and Dallas. The Texans can even the all-time series at four victories apiece, having previously beaten the Cowboys at home in 2002 and 2018 and on the road in 2024.
The more uncomfortable number is 265.
By Sunday’s kickoff, 265 days will have passed since Houston’s last victory of any kind — its Jan. 12 playoff win over Pittsburgh. Since then, the Texans have lost a divisional playoff game, three preseason contests and their first three regular-season games.
That drought needs to end.
My Two Pennies
Getting Collins back removes Houston’s largest offensive excuse.
The Texans have their quarterback. They have their top receiver. Trent Brown practiced fully Friday, and Ingram also finished the week with a full session despite carrying a questionable designation.
Now produce.
With Al-Shaair unavailable, Houston cannot expect its defense to handle everything. The offense must control possession, finish drives and force Dallas to chase the game.
Collins does not need 15 targets. He needs enough opportunities to make Dallas respect every blade of grass.
The Texans host the Cowboys at noon Central on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Reliant Stadium.
Now that Nico is back, Houston’s offense needs to act like it.
