Top News

The Houston Texans will be without two of their top players in the divisional round game against the New England Patriots on Sunday. Nico Collins and Trent Brown have been ruled out.

They join quarterback Graham Mertz, running back Jawhar Jordan, cornerback Alijah Huzzie, and wide receiver Justin Watson in the inactive list. Why Nico Collins and Trent Brown are not playing today The star wide receiver missed most of the Texans' Wild Card round game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Collins exited early in the second half after landing hard on his head attempting to catch a pass over the middle of the field. He was put into the league's concussion protocol and did not practice this week. With Collins out, QB CJ Stroud will rely on veteran Christian Kirk and rookie Jayden Higgins. Trent Brown will not suit up for Sunday's playoff matchup and is ruled inactive due to an ankle issue that has lingered for weeks. The veteran tackle was limited to just one practice during the week, sitting out entirely on Wednesday and Thursday before participating in a reduced capacity during Friday's walkthroughs. The injury is the latest setback in a prolonged stretch of health problems for Brown, who has also been managing a knee issue that sidelined him for the final two games of the regular season. With Brown unavailable, Houston has leaned on younger options. Second-year lineman Blake Fisher filled in at tackle during Week 18, while Tytus Howard previously shifted to right tackle in Week 17's win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Houston Texans depth chart Offense LWR: Nico Collins; Xavier Hutchinson RWR: Jayden Higgins; Justin Watson SWR: Christian Kirk; Jaylin Noel; Braxton Berrios LT: Aireontae Ersery; Blake Fisher LG: Tytus Howard; Jarrett Patterson C: Jake Andrews; Juice Scruggs RG: Ed Ingram; Jarrett Kingston RT: Trent Brown TE: Dalton Schultz; Cade Stover; Harrison Bryant QB: C.J. Stroud; Davis Mills; Graham Mertz RB: Woody Marks; Jawhar Jordan; Dare Ogunbowale; Nick Chubb FB: British Brooks Defense LDE: Will Anderson Jr.; Denico Autry; Dylan Horton LDT: Sheldon Rankins; Naquan Jones RDT: Tommy Togiai; Leki Fotu RDE: Danielle Hunter; Derek Barnett WLB: Henry To'oTo'o; Damone Clark; Jamal Hill MLB: Azeez Al-Shaair; E.J. Speed; Christian Harris LCB: Derek Stingley Jr.; Tremon Smith RCB: Kamari Lassiter; Ja'Marcus Ingram SS: Myles Bryant; Jaylen Reed FS: Calen Bullock NB: Jalen Pitre; Alijah Huzzie Special Teams P/H: Tommy Townsend PK/KO: Ka'imi Fairbairn LS: Austin Brinkman PR: Jaylin Noel; Braxton Berrios KR: Tremon Smith; Jaylin Noel; Braxton Berrios