The are eight quarters and counting without a touchdown in the second half.
This should change with the return or .
The Texans will have their leading man back on the sideline for the first time since Week 5 in Monday's game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Collins also has no plans to force his way back into the team.
There are reasons for this will be the No. 1 topic of conversation on Tuesday morning talk shows.
“To get going again, I have to throw the ball out when the ball touches my hands,” Collins said earlier this week. “When the ball is in the air, I have to do something with it.”
It's a story of two halves this season. With Collins in the lineup, the Texans are 4-1. Without him they are 2-3. Since Week 6, they have also been outscored 74-39 in the second half.
It is also affected . Before Collins' injury, the Texans ranked sixth in total offense (376.6 yards per game) and fourth in passing. Stroud ranked third in passing yards (1,385), 10th in touchdowns (seven) and 10th in QBR (66.2).
The Texans with healthy Nico Collins are absolutely still a threat, especially if the OL improves like it did last week.
I can't wait to see this duo again this week 😮💨
– Jacob (@Stroud4MVP)
Over the last five games, the Texans ranked 24th in total offense (299 yards per game) and 16th in scoring (20 points per game). Stroud currently ranks 13th in passing (2,371) and 22nd in QBR (54.7).
“I’m really happy to have my husband back,” Stroud said. “I’m just happy that he’s back in the team and part of the locker room again. They are in solitude, when players are injured they are on their own. That’s why I’m happy that he can be near his boys again and play the sport he loves so much.”
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said earlier this week that Stroud had to “lose heart” on Monday night. That should be easier with the return of his No. 1 receiver.
Before the injury, Collins led the NFL with 567 receiving yards and ranked third with 32 receiving yards. Since he missed five games, his 113.4 yards per contest remain among the best in the league.
“It’s always great for all of us to have Nico back,” Ryans said. “Nico was one of our best players when he was healthy, so it's great to have him back, great to have his presence and the energy that he brings and also the playing ability that he brings.”
Nico Collins is playing football today.
– James Roy (@JamesRoyNFL)
The connection between Collins and Stroud could be the deciding factor for Houston heading into the bye week. After their trip to Arlington, the Texans return home for an AFC South showdown against the Tennessee Titans. They then headed out to face the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars.
Three wins would put the Texans back at 9-3 and in the hunt for a top-three spot in the AFC, but it all starts with a win on Monday.
It all ends with Collins crossing the goal line for the first time in a month.
“I feel like myself,” Collins said. “I'm doing well.”
