Smith doesn’t see injury to Collins as season-ending
Texans coach Lovie Smith said leading wide receiver Nico Collins did not suffer a long-term injury when he exited Sunday’s game against the Raiders with a groin injury. Collins did not practice on Wednesday. The absence doesn’t likely project he’ll return against the Titans this weekend, but the lengthy wideout’s availability remains unofficial.
“He’s not out for the season or anything like that,” Smith said Wednesday. “Hopefully, we get him back sooner than later.”
Phillip Dorsett replaced Collins in Las Vegas, and the eight-year veteran is expected to fulfill the position while Collins recovers. Dorsett caught two passes for 45 yards against the Raiders, including a 25-yard touchdown pass that gave the Texans a temporary 20-17 lead in the third quarter.
Dorsett (5-10, 192 pounds) has a notably different frame than Collins (6-4, 215 pounds), which necessitates a different usage. While Collins is a clear matchupwinner based on his size, Dorsett uses his speed and sense of defensive coverages most often to get open.
“We won’t be throwing fade routes, him outjumping smaller DBs,” Smith said. “That’s not part of the game we’d use him for. There’s other ways that you can use him. So, it’s not going into strategy too much to say that we’re going to use him a little bit differently.”
Dorsett signed with the Texans midseason in 2021 and caught six passes for 107 yards before suffering an ankle injury that sidelined him for the final two games of the season. General manager Nick Caserio re-signed Dorsett on a one-year extension, but his usage was limited prior to Sunday’s loss to the Raiders. Dorsett was activated for three other games and was targeted four times and caught one pass for 15 yards.
“Big thing is speed, just consistency,” quarterback Davis Mills said of Dorsett. “Obviously, he’s a veteran in the league. You just got to be in the right spot at the right time. Knows defenses well. Knows what he needs to do versus different looks. To end up in the same spot based on what we need from the concept, trust him in doing that he’s going to have the speed to get there.”
The Texans also signed veteran Tyron Johnson on Tuesday. Johnson, who once ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at Oklahoma State’s pro day, is a speedy pass-catcher who projects as a slot receiver. Johnson was released by the Raiders on Saturday, and he flashed potential in the preseason with eight receptions for 123 yards. Still, he only totaled four offensive snaps in two appearances with Las Vegas this season.
Johnson, a three-year veteran, recorded his best season with the Chargers in 2020.
He caught 20 passes for 398 yards and three touchdowns that season, when Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton was then the quarterbacks coach in Los Angeles.
“I think he’s going to help out a lot,” Mills said. “Obviously, from going back and watching a little film on him and seeing him today, he’s able to take the top off a defense. He can fly. So, excited for that, especially as we continue to develop the run game. Feel like we’ve been running downhill really well, making defense pack the box, and even if we show some sort of play-action, they’re going to have to step up and respect the run and give him more time to just get behind the defense and we’ll be able to lay the ball out there for some big plays.”
Thomas ready to rejoin DBs
Texans nickel safety Tavierre Thomas has been designated to return from the injured reserve. The four-year veteran has been out since training camp with a quad muscle injury, and his return creates a surplus of depth in the secondary.
Thomas started in eight games at nickel safety in 2021, a breakout season for a player who came up through successful special teams stints with the Browns and Texans. He logged two interceptions, including a pick-six.
Desmond King has been Houston’s nickel safety in every game this season.