In their victory against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, the Houston Texans faced a significant blow to their receiving corps. Nico Collins, who was having an impressive start to the NFL season, injured his hamstring while making a 67-yard touchdown catch.
Hope for his availability in the upcoming game against the New England Patriots has diminished. To prepare for the possibility of needing extra depth, the Texans re-signed a familiar face on Tuesday. After a tryout, they brought back Jared Wayne, who initially joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 210 pounds, Wayne didn’t make the 53-man roster during his rookie year but was added to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract in January but was waived due to an injury settlement in late July.
A native of Ontario, Canada, Wayne had a standout collegiate career with the Pitt Panthers, recording 60 receptions for 1,063 yards and five touchdowns in his senior year, averaging 17.7 yards per catch. However, he has yet to see action in a regular-season NFL game, making just one catch for 19 yards in his only preseason appearance in 2023.
With Collins potentially sidelined, the Texans will need several players to elevate their performance. Head coach DeMeco Ryans emphasized that no single player can fill Collins’ role. Instead, Wayne is seen as an additional option.
In terms of stepping up, veteran Stefon Diggs will need to stretch the field, while Tank Dell is expected to contribute more after not fully recovering from a broken leg suffered in his rookie season. Additionally, John Metchie III, a second-round pick from 2022, has only recorded one catch this season, highlighting the need for more production from the receiving group.