The Denver Broncos were the first team to punch their ticket to the AFC Championship this season. The Houston Texans will look to be the second team, but in order for that to happen, they’ll have to best the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Sunday.
Unfortunately for Houston, they’ll be missing their top offensive weapon for the contest.
Nico Collins won't play vs. Patriots due to concussion
Star wide receiver Nico Collins has been ruled out of the game due to a concussion. Collins suffered the concussion during Houston's 30-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round last weekend.
It is Collins' second concussion of the season. He also suffered one in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks and missed a game as a result.
Prior to exiting the game against Pittsburgh with the concussion, Collins caught three passes for 21 yards. During the regular season, Collins played in 15 games for the Texans, and he led the team with 1,117 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
If the Texans are ultimately able to advance past the Patriots, there's a chance that Collins could be cleared for a championship matchup with Denver.
With Collins sidelined, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud will have to rely more heavily on other options, including receivers Christian Kirk and Jayden Higgins and tight end Dalton Schultz.
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