Nico Collins has been ruled out for the AFC Divisional Round, a rough blow to the Texans.
The star receiver will be missing this week’s game against the Patriots due to a concussion after officially being ruled out on Friday.
Collins, 26, was unable to practice throughout the week leading up to the second-round playoff affair after exiting the team’s Monday victory with the Steelers early.
The two-time Pro Bowler previously suffered a concussion earlier in the season in Week 7, returning two games later.
Collins was the Texans’ leading receiver again this season, recording 71 catches for 1,117 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
C.J. Stroud and Houston will turn to Christian Kirk as the new WR1 this coming week. Kirk hauled in 144 receiving yards with eight receptions and a touchdown in the 30-6 rout over the Steelers.
The performance was good enough to set a new playoff record for the Texans, who entered the NFL as an expansion team in 2002.
An upset victory over the No. 2 seed Pats at 3 p.m. this Sunday would give the Texans their first-ever AFC title game berth.
Texans have reached the divisional round for a third consecutive season and for the seventh time overall.
At this point, it is unknown if Collins will be available next week if the Texans were to defeat the Patriots.
The winner of the game will face the victor of Saturday afternoon’s matchup starring the No. 1 seed Broncos and the visiting Bills, who outlasted the Jaguars last week.
