HOUSTON — Houston Texans will be without one of their top stars when they travel to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots on Sunday.
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Earlier this week, Nico Collins, who leads the NFL in receiving, was placed on injured reserve meaning he will return after four games.
Collins left Houston's 23-20 victory over the Bills after scoring on a 67-yard reception late in the first quarter.
The Texans will also likely be without starting running back Joe Mixon who could miss his fourth straight game with an ankle injury. However, Houston’s running game could get a boost with the return of Dameon Pierce.
The third-year pro hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring in the season opener. But he has been practicing this week and Ryans said he expects him to play Sunday.
Stroud is excited to have Pierce back on the field.
“It is really big, I am very happy for DP,” he said. “He has worked really hard to come back.”
Rookie starter
The Texans will be facing rookie Drake Maye who will be making his first NFL start for the Patriots on Sunday.
The first-round draft pick is replacing Jacoby Brissett as the starter in the hopes that he can snap the Patriots’ four-game losing streak.
Maye will have to do it against one of the NFL's toughest defenses.
“There’s never a perfect time to make a change,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said this week after announcing the swap. “Every defense that we play ... they all have the ability to rush and get after the quarterback. So, I don’t think there’s ever a perfect time.”
The Texans (4-1) will pose an especially difficult challenge for Maye and the makeshift New England (1-4) offensive line that has started five different combinations in five games.
Houston pressures the quarterback more than any other team in the league – 42% of dropbacks, according to NFL NextGen stats.
Special teams star
Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn earned AFC special teams player of the week honors for the second time this season on Wednesday.
Fairbairn’s 59-yard field goal as time expired lifted the Texans to the victory over the Bills.
It was his eighth field goal this season of at least 50 yards, which is the most in NFL history through the first five games of a season. It’s also the most 50-yarders made in a season in franchise history.
“It’s comforting for everyone to know wherever we are, (Ka’imi) can make a play,” Ryans said.
Fairbairn loves being in those high-pressure situations.
“Whatever yardage it is, I really don’t care. I want that shot,” he said. “I think part of being good at this job is ... wanting that opportunity.”
