Texans Star Breaks Silence on Painful Playoff Fallout – Vows Redemption!

The Houston Texans’ 2024 season ended in disappointment, mirroring their 2023 campaign—a 10-7 record, a dominant wild-card win, and a Divisional Round exit. But while outsiders view this as stagnation under rising expectations, the team sees it differently.

Wide receiver Nico Collins refuses to dwell on pessimism. Instead, he highlights injuries and the team’s long-term potential as key factors in Houston’s trajectory. Speaking on The Insiders on Friday, Collins expressed confidence in the Texans’ foundation moving forward.

Injuries Took a Toll on Houston’s Offense

“Injuries really set us back,” Collins admitted. “But I feel like we have the right pieces, the right people, and the right coaches in place. We know what type of guys we have in the locker room and where we want to go. The biggest thing is staying healthy.”

Houston’s offense struggled with key absences, particularly at Collins’ position. The team had high expectations after acquiring star wideout Stefon Diggs in an offseason trade, but their offense finished 19th in scoring—six spots lower than in 2023. Diggs managed just 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns before tearing his ACL in Week 8.

Rookie receiver Tank Dell also faced setbacks. After suffering a season-ending broken fibula and an unrelated gunshot wound in April, Dell lacked his signature explosiveness. Just as he seemed to regain form in Week 15, he sustained a significant knee injury, further depleting Houston’s receiving corps.

Collins himself missed five games due to a hamstring injury but returned to make an impact in the playoffs. In the Texans’ dominant 32-12 wild-card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, he racked up seven catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. However, his production wasn’t as consistent as it had been earlier in the season.

During the first five weeks of the season, Collins eclipsed 100 receiving yards three times, with a low of 78 yards in a game he left early due to injury. After returning in Week 11, he failed to reach that mark in five of his next nine outings. The Texans’ offensive struggles ultimately led to the firing of offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.

A New Offensive Vision Under Nick Caley

With former Rams passing game coordinator Nick Caley now at the helm, Collins anticipates a major turnaround. The success of Los Angeles’ offense under Sean McVay, particularly with receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, has not gone unnoticed by Houston’s playmakers.

“It’s going to be a great year for us,” Collins said, looking ahead to the 2025 season. “New OC, but we’ve got the same guys, the same mindset—ready to work. Can’t wait to meet him, get ready for OTAs, learn the playbook, and get going.”

The Texans will need Caley’s offensive expertise to avoid another postseason letdown. Houston’s defense kept them competitive against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round, trailing by just one point entering the fourth quarter. But their offense faltered, failing to score meaningful points the rest of the way. Their only remaining points came on a strategic safety by the Chiefs to burn clock time.

Texans Seeking Redemption in 2025

“We left a bad taste in our mouth leaving K.C.,” Collins admitted. “We know what it takes. We know what we got to do to make that next jump.”

That next jump won’t come easy. The Texans must navigate potential roster changes, with Diggs‘ contract situation uncertain and Dell recovering from a major injury. Improvement also requires adapting to Caley’s new system and maintaining offensive consistency.

Still, Collins is confident in the Texans’ ability to rise above adversity.

“We’ve got to figure it out, and I feel like we will,” he said. “I’m not stressing about it. I love this team. I love the guys.”

The Texans have the talent and the mindset to take the next step. Now, it’s about execution. As Houston prepares for 2025, they aim to turn playoff heartbreak into a springboard for success.