Houston Texans wideout Nico Collins has been out for over a month with a hamstring injury, but the star playmaker is finally poised to return. The Texans can hardly afford to lose the Michigan alum long-term, as he still leads the team with 567 receiving yards this year.

Collins was a full participant at Friday's practice, via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The 25-year-old was the NFL's receiving leader when he went down, and is the straw that stirs the drink for Houston's air attack. Now that fellow star receiver Stefon Diggs is out for the season, that makes Collins' return all the more crucial.

Nico Collins feels back up to speed ahead of Texans return

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) makes a reception for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Collins feels rejuvenated ahead of Houston's bout with the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, via The Associated Press's Kristie Rieken.

Article Continues Below
More Houston Texans News
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) rolls out to throw against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter of a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Texans’ C.J. Stroud gets ‘no concerns’ take from new OCZachary Weinberger ·
Houston Texans former defensive end J.J. Watt in attendance as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Tennessee Titans.
NFL legend JJ Watt throws down epic dunk during Pat McAfee visitJosh Davis ·
image thumbnail
Texans’ riskiest move in 2025 NFL offseasonDouglas Fritz ·
Iowa State wideout and Houston Texans 2025 NFL Draft pick Jayden Higgins (WO18) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
NFL rumors: Texans, Browns the reason 2025 NFL Draft second-round picks aren’t signingTim Crean ·
Nick Chubb in the middle, Bears, Texans, Steelers logos in the background, Cloudy skies in the background
Ranking best Nick Chubb fits late in 2025 NFL free agencyEnzo Flojo ·
image thumbnail
Houston Texans 2 best trade targets to round out 2025 rosterEnzo Flojo ·

“I feel like myself,” Collins said Friday. “I feel like that was the main part.”

The Texans, who are on a two-game losing streak, are getting their star back at the right time. While Collins' absence hurt the offense, it was a worthy sacrifice for a team with championship aspirations.

“You don’t want to miss no games, but that’s part of it,” he continued. “But it’s a long season, it’s a marathon and you want to take care of your body. But missing time hurts. You want to be out there with your brothers, making plays.”

Houston quarterback CJ Stroud looks forward to having his most reliable target back.

“He has that personality where he wants the hard coverage guy, he wants the hard routes to run, he wants to make the hard plays,” Stroud said. “When he gets the ball, he is dangerous. He is able to turn good into great. He runs guys over. He does all these things. … He gets everybody juiced up to play hard and I definitely feel like we have been missing that.”