### Texans Face Major Setback as Nico Collins is Ruled Out for Divisional Round The Houston Texans have suffered a significant blow ahead of their AFC Divisional Round playoff game against the New England Patriots, as star wide receiver Nico Collins has been officially ruled out due to a concussion. This decision was confirmed on Friday, January 16, 2026, and comes as a disappointment to Texans fans who were hoping for a strong performance in this crucial matchup. Collins, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, has been a key offensive weapon for the Texans throughout the season, making his absence particularly impactful as they aim for a spot in the AFC Championship game for the first time in franchise history [https://nypost.com/2026/01/16/sports/texans-nico-collins-ruled-out-for-divisional-round-in-injury-crusher][https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nico-collins-injury-texans-receiver-out-divisional-round-game-vs-patriots-with-concussion]. ### Breakdown of the Situation 1. **Injury Status**: - Nico Collins has been ruled out for the playoff game due to a concussion sustained earlier in the week. His absence was confirmed in the final injury report released by the Texans [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nico-collins-ruled-divisional-round-215500839.html][https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2026/01/final-decisions-made-on-nico-collins-christian-gonzalez-for-sundays-patriots-texans-playoff-game.html]. 2. **Impact on Team**: - Collins is considered one of the Texans' top offensive players, and his absence will require quarterback CJ Stroud to adjust his game plan significantly. The Texans will need to rely on other receivers to step up in this high-stakes game [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nfl/article-15468365/texans-nico-collins-patriots.html][https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/houston-texans/news/texans-rule-top-offensive-weapon-playoff-game-patriots/2b00cc7597c0e6833e976263]. 3. **Game Context**: - The Texans enter this playoff game with a record of 13-5, while the Patriots boast a 15-3 record. The stakes are high, as a victory would propel the Texans to the AFC Championship game for the first time in their history [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nfl/article-15471621/nico-collins-texans-patriots-playoff.html][https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/nico-collins-injury-texans-patriots-1623300]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Nico Collins' Performance**: - Collins has been a standout player for the Texans, contributing significantly to their offensive strategy. His absence is expected to hinder the team's ability to execute their game plan effectively. - **Team Statistics**: - Texans' Record: 13-5 - Patriots' Record: 15-3 - Collins' status: Out due to concussion [https://abc13.com/post/texans-wr-collins-ruled-patriots-concussion/18416938][https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/texans_wr_nico_collins_remains_in_concussion_protocol_will_miss_divisional_round/s1_14819_43341959]. ### Conclusion: A Tough Road Ahead for the Texans In summary, the Houston Texans will face a challenging road in their upcoming playoff game against the New England Patriots without their star receiver, Nico Collins. This situation presents several key points: 1. **Nico Collins is officially ruled out due to a concussion**, which significantly impacts the Texans' offensive capabilities [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nico-collins-not-play-against-204252917.html]. 2. **The Texans must adapt their strategy** to compensate for Collins' absence, relying on other players to fill the void [https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nico-collins-injury-texans-receiver-out-divisional-round-game-vs-patriots-with-concussion]. 3. **The stakes are high**, as a win would mark a historic achievement for the franchise [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nfl/article-15468365/texans-nico-collins-patriots.html]. The Texans will need to rally together and find a way to overcome this setback if they hope to advance in the playoffs.