The Houston Texans are 6-2 after downing the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8. Despite the good start, the Texans have been without top receiver Nico Collins since Week 5, when he suffered a hamstring injury that knocked him out of the game.

Initially, the Texans seemed optimistic that Collins' injury may be short-term. It was originally reported that Collins would be day-to-day ahead of Houston's Week 6 game against the New England Patriots. However, DeMeco Ryans said the team's top receiver would be week-to-week.

"It takes a couple of weeks for a hamstring," Ryans said when discussing the injury, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Shortly after the comments, Houston placed Collins on injured reserve.

Here's the latest on Nico Collins' hamstring injury and potential return:

When will Nico Collins return?

The Texans may get their No. 1 wide receiver back in Week 10 against the Detroit Lions on "Sunday Night Football." This is the earliest Collins can return after being placed on IR earlier this season.

Once the Texans placed Collins on IR, he would be guaranteed to sit for the next four games.

According to a report, Collins has experienced no setbacks during his recovery. He will miss the team's Week 8 matchup with the Colts and Week 9 against the Jets on "Thursday Night Football." He will look to step back into the Texans' No. 1 receiving role in Week 10.

Despite missing the last three games, Collins sits ninth in the NFL in receiving yards entering Week 9.

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When was Nico Collins' injury?

Nico Collins was injured in the Texans Week 5 matchup against the Bills at home. He left the game at the end of the first quarter, with Houston leading 14-3. The Texans ruled Collins out for the remainder of the game against Buffalo because of a hamstring injury. He finished his day with 2 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Collins injured his hamstring on the same play he reeled in a 67-yard touchdown catch from C.J. Stroud. He appeared to let up on his way into the end zone after the catch.

Nico Collins stats

Collins led the NFL in receiving yards through five weeks with 567 yards. Below is a full look at his stats from the 2024 season:

• Targets: 45

• Catches: 32

• Yards: 567

• TDs: 3

• Yards per reception: 17.7

Collins has three games with at least 100 receiving yards and has recorded at least 78 yards in each of his five games.

Texans WR depth chart

Houston relied on Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell as its primary receivers with Collins out. Diggs, however, suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 8, thinning out the Houston receiver room significantly.

Robert Woods and Xavier Hutchinson have alternated as the team's No. 4 receiver this season, but Hutchinson had a larger role than Woods, who has been dealing with a foot injury himself.

Below is a full look at the Texans wide receiver depth chart behind Collins:

• Tank Dell

• Xavier Hutchinson

• Robert Woods

• John Metchie III

• Steven Sims

The team also has Johnny Johnson III available on the practice squad if additional reinforcements are needed.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will Nico Collins return? Latest updates for Texans WR