Texans star set to return vs Cowboys  

The Texans received a final piece of good news ahead of Monday’s game in Dallas.  

After another touch and go week, star receiver Nico Collins has been cleared to play, according to the team’s official injury report.  

Missing the last five games due to a hamstring injury, Collins practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday, before returning in full on Friday and being designated to return a day later. 

Houston #Texans Saturday Injury Report & Game Status Report for Week 11 at the Dallas Cowboys: pic.twitter.com/ijwNDcAIPR

Despite last playing in Week 5 in the win over Buffalo, Collins still leads all Texans pass-catchers with 567 receiving yards to go with three touchdowns on the season.  

With the offense sputtering – particularly in the second half – Collins' inclusion offers the under-siege C.J. Stroud a go-to weapon behind an offensive line struggling to protect last year’s No. 2 overall draft pick. 

Collins was a chance to play ahead of last week’s game against Detroit but was given another week to heal. 

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Collins sounded confident he’d take the field at Jerry World for a must-win game against the Texans’ inter-state rivals. 

"Yeah, I'm playing this week," Collins told ESPN. 

"Just going out there, being with my brothers. There's no better feeling than that. Just happy to be feeling good and happy to be able to have the opportunity to play this week and just continue to pick back up where I left off." 

Collins won’t offer Stroud pass protection, but he should prove a vital piece in the screen game and on short-yardage situations. 

His breakout game came in Week 2 when he caught for 135 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Bears, a week after he posted similar numbers in a game against the Colts.