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3 hours ago
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The Houston Texans have a tough task in Week 8, matching up with the San Francisco 49ers.
They'll have to do it without their top-two wide receivers, Nico Collins and Christian Kirk.
Collins is the biggest absence. He's one of the best WRs in football and a favorite target of C.J. Stroud.
The Texans will have to make do without him on Sunday.
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Why isn't Nico Collins playing today?
Nico Collins isn't playing in Week 8 due to injury.
He has a concussion.
Collins didn't practice at all in the days leading up to the 49ers game.
Without Collins and Kirk, rookies Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins will see a ton of playing time. The Texans may choose to lean on the ground game a lot more.
Stroud hasn't quite elevated his game in year three, but this is the kind of setup that will require Stroud to be at his best in order to lift up the players around him.
If Stroud can't do it without Collins, the Texans could have a tough time against the visiting 49ers in terms of mounting any real offense.
They'll need their defense to slow Christian McCaffrey in the meantime, and maybe the Texans' offense can figure things out anyway while at the same time hoping Collins isn't out for too long.
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