NicoCollins

News: 4 days agoCollins (calf) is listed as out for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Spin: Collins initially appeared to be on a path to play against the Bengals after he opened Week 10 prep as a limited participant Wednesday, but after regressing to no participation Thursday and Friday, he'll ultimately sit out Sunday for the first time all season. On a positive note for the Texans, Robert Woods (foot) is listed as questionable but is trending toward putting an end to his two-game absence after practicing fully Friday, and he could end up filling a regular role in three-receiver sets alongside Tank Dell and Noah Brown while Collins is sidelined this weekend.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Collins is entering his third NFL season with an opportunity take control of Houston's No. 1 WR job following the offseason trade of Brandin Cooks. The 2021 third-round pick averaged a healthy 6.8 targets per game in nine full games last season, but he dealt with poor QB play (league-high 28% off target rate) and barely cracked the top 50 in fantasy PPG. Collins has missed 10 games in two seasons and has struggled to find the end zone (three career TDs), but he has shown good hands (one drop on 125 targets) and his 6-foot-4 frame figures to eventually lead to more goal line work. The 24-year-old is a fine target with your bench and could land on the flex radar if he gels well with rookie QB C.J. Stroud.