Houston could get Nico Collins and Ed Ingram back this week, while Jadeveon Clowney is expected to miss more time with a knee injury.
The Houston Texans could be getting some important reinforcements back from injury as they prepare for Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, with wide receiver Nico Collins and offensive guard Ed Ingram both potentially returning to practice and game action.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans provided an update Monday on several key injuries following Houston’s 0-3 start to the season. While Collins and Ingram have a chance to return this week, veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney is facing a longer absence.
“Nico and Ed we're hopeful to get them back this week. JD is week to week,” Ryans said.
Collins has been dealing with a Grade 1 hamstring injury, while Ingram is recovering from a groin strain. Both players were unavailable for Sunday’s 19-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, leaving the Texans without two important contributors.
Getting Collins back would provide a particularly significant boost for Houston’s offense.
The veteran wide receiver is one of the most important pieces of the Texans’ passing attack and has developed into quarterback C.J. Stroud’s top target. Without him against Indianapolis, Houston struggled to consistently create explosive plays through the air.
Stroud completed 16 of 27 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown in the loss, while the Texans managed just 17 points. Following the game, Stroud called for Houston to be more aggressive offensively and stressed the need to create more explosive plays.
Collins’ return could help address some of those issues.
The Texans have also been dealing with injuries along the offensive line, making Ingram’s potential return important for an offense that has struggled to find consistency through the first three games.
Ingram's return would give the Texans another experienced option up front and potentially help stabilize an offensive line that has been under pressure throughout the early portion of the season.
Clowney’s situation is different.
The veteran defensive end is dealing with a bone bruise in his knee and is considered week to week.
Despite the 0-3 record, Houston’s defense has given the team opportunities to win. The Texans held Indianapolis to 19 points Sunday and forced turnovers that helped them mount a fourth-quarter comeback.
The offense, however, has struggled to capitalize on those opportunities.
That makes the potential return of Collins and Ingram especially important.
For now, the Texans will have to wait and see how both players progress throughout the week.
Ryans’ update provides some optimism that Collins and Ingram could be available, while Clowney appears likely to miss additional time. With Houston searching for its first victory of the 2026 season, getting key players back could be an important step toward changing the trajectory of the season.
