The Houston Texans did not have wide receiver Nico Collins on the injury report this week, yet he is not expected to play in Week 18.
The news about Collins comes from multiple reports and is a surprise with just hours to go before kickoff and the Texans jockeying for playoff positioning.
Houston's seeding is important because securing the No. 5 spot, where the Texans sit going into Week 18, means a favorable first-round matchup against either the Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens.
So, what gives with Collins? Here's what we know.
Is Nico Collins playing today?
No, Collins won't be suiting up for the Texans on Sunday, but it isn't injury-related.
According to NFL Network's Jane Slater, the Texans are simply opting to rest Collins ahead of the playoffs.
"Veteran wide receiver Nico Collins won’t play in this one today," Slater writes. "A team source tells me the Texans want to rest their veteran wide receiver ahead of the playoffs."
Slater goes on to add that we should expect to see a lot of run for rookie wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Lane, both of whom had big games last week.
It is at least a bit surprising Collins won't play in a game that definitely matters, but the Texans should still be able to beat a dead Indianapolis Colts team that will be starting rookie signal-caller Riley Leonard.
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