The Houston Texans host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 on Monday Night Football. The Texans are looking to get into the win column and are hoping that wide receiver Nico Collins is someone who will make some noise after the team's forgettable offensive performance last week.
After a season opener that saw Collins catch three passes for 22 receiving yards, head coach DeMeco Ryans made it clear that the team will make an effort to get him the football more.
When speaking to the media on Tuesday (h/t KPRC 2 Houston's Aaron Wilson), Ryans said, "As many times as we can. Of course, we want to get the ball to Nico. He's one of our best players."
Demeco Ryans Express Desire to Get WR Nico Collins Ball More
The entire Houston offense as a whole was underwhelming in Week 1. In the loss to the Rams, the Texans finished with 265 total yards and went 2-of-9 on third down, all while averaging 4.6 yards per play. Rookie WR Jayden Higgins paced his teammates with 32 receiving yards on two catches, which isn't anything to write home about.
The Texans' passing game must be better, and they know that. Getting Collins more involved is a way to get the offense kick-started. In 11 of his 12 games last season, he finished with at least five targets. The Texans know that he's their best playmaker, and when he gets the ball, good things typically happen.
The Rams had a good game plan to contain Collins and the offense as a whole. That happens in football sometimes, but now it's about adapting and finding solutions. Houston has a first-time offensive coordinator, Nick Caley, calling the shots, which can come with growing pains.
His debut didn't go over well, but Caley came over from the Rams. It looks like L.A. head coach Sean McVay's staff knew what Caley liked and wanted to run, slowing down this unit. Week 2's contest against Tampa Bay is the next opportunity for this team to bounce back, and Ryans made sure to have his star playmaker's back.
Texans fans should expect Collins to be involved and expect it to come early. That would allow him and Stroud to get into a rhythm early in the game, and hopefully be a better outing for a team looking for its first win of 2025.