Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins played so well in his first five games this season that after missing the Week 6 game, the former Clay-Chalkville star still led the NFL in receiving yards .
Collins hasn’t played since Oct. 6, but Houston restored him to its active roster from injured reserve after returning to practice Friday. Collins is eligible to play when the Texans take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at 7:20 p.m. CST at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Collins had 32 receptions for 567 yards and three touchdowns in 2024 before missing four games with a hamstring injury. He still ranks 14th in the NFL in receiving yards this season.
Collins returns with the Texans missing four-time Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs, who is out for the season with a knee injury. Houston played without Diggs or Collins in its previous game and lost to the New York Jets 21-13 to fall to 6-3.
Two more former Alabama high school players will be eligible to play in the NFL on Sunday after being elevated to practice squads:
- Denver Broncos linebacker Zach Cunningham (Pinson Valley) could make his 2024 debut against the Kansas City Chiefs at noon. The former Vanderbilt All-American is in his eighth season in the NFL. He led the NFL with 164 tackles and 106 solo tackles with the Texans during the 2020 season. Over its last three games, Denver elevated linebacker Kwon Alexander (Oxford) from its practice squad, and he started twice. But no player can be elevated more than three times in a single season.
- Chiefs receiver Justyn Ross (Central-Phenix City) was elevated for a second straight game. Ross made his debut in his third NFL season on Monday night, when he played seven offensive snaps in a 30-24 overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
