Collins returns to Texans practice, questionable against Lions

HOUSTON – Star wide receiver Nico Collins is getting closer to returning for the Houston Texans.

On Friday, Houston designated Collins to return to practice after spending the last four weeks on the bench with a hamstring injury.

The Texans (6-3) listed Collins as questionable on their injury report ahead of their “Sunday Night Football” showdown against the Detroit Lions (7-1).

Before suffering his injury, Collins led the NFL in receiving yards (567). He has been sidelined since Week 5 after suffering a strained Achilles tendon on a 67-yard touchdown reception in a 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Since his injury, the Texans' offense has averaged 24.8 points per game (12th in the NFL), but the passing attack has suffered, yielding 158 passing yards per game (30th).

While Collins was out, All-Pro wideout Stefon Diggs suffered a season-ending knee injury in a 23-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8, meaning quarterback CJ Stroud has been without his top two targets for a game and a half .

Since Collins' injury, Stroud's production has declined; Over the last four weeks, he ranks 17th in yards (754), 19th in touchdowns (4) and 18th in completion percentage (55%). In his first five weeks with Collins, the second-year quarterback was third in passing yards (1,385), tied for 10th in touchdowns (7) and tied for 10th in passer rating (98.2).

Houston receiver Tank Dell was also limited in Friday's practice due to a back injury and it is questionable whether he will play against Detroit. Defensive end Will Anderson, who has 7.5 sacks, was sidelined with an ankle sprain suffered in a 21-13 loss to the New York Jets in Week 9.