Nico Collins injury update: Will Texans WR play in 'SNF' Week 10 vs. Lions?

The Houston Texans are in control of the AFC South and have a rock-solid 6-3 record through nine weeks of the 2024 NFL season. Even so, they have scuffled on offense in recent weeks with wide receiver Nico Collins out of action.

Collins suffered a hamstring injury in Houston's Week 5 win over the Buffalo Bills and was placed on IR to allow time to heal. The Texans have gone 2-2 in four games without him, with quarterback C.J. Stroud averaging just 188.5 passing yards and one touchdown per game in that span.

Collins is now eligible to return from IR after spending four weeks on the sidelines. The Texans will have to designate him to return before their Week 10 matchup on "Sunday Night Football" against the Detroit Lions if they want him to be available for the contest.

Will Nico Collins be ready to return to action, or will the Texans continue to hold him out to ensure he is as close to 100% as possible? Here's what to know about the No. 1 receiver's injury and status for Week 10 and beyond.

Nico Collins injury update

According to KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson, Collins has passed all tests related to his hamstring with "no setbacks." He reports that Collins has "regained speed and mobility, [and is] ready to go" as the window for him to return to action opens in Week 10.

However, it isn't yet clear whether the Texans will activate him from IR to play in their Week 10 contest.

Will Nico Collins play Week 10 vs. Lions?

Collins was listed as a non-participant at the Texans practice on both Wednesday and Thursday, casting doubt on his Week 10 status.

However, the Texans officially designated Collins to return from IR on Friday, which allowed the veteran receiver to return to practice. That may at least give him a chance to suit up in Week 10, though his status remains unclear.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans expressed confidence in Collins' recovery after Wednesday's practice. Still, he wouldn't commit to having the top receiver play in Week 10.

"Nico, he’s doing good," Ryans said, per Wilson. "We’ll see where he ends up."

The Texans have 21 days to return Collins to the active roster after designating him to return from IR on Friday. If they aren't comfortable with bringing him back in Week 10, a return could be in play for the team's Week 11 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Nico Collins playing Week 10? Latest injury updates on Texans WR