Nico Collins (hamstring) isn't expected to play in Week 2 against Cincinnati, which is a big loss for the Texans and Fantasy managers. With Collins out, someone will benefit in Houston, but there is no clear-cut replacement to target off the waiver wire. That said, there is sleeper appeal for Dalton Schultz, Xavier Hutchinson, Kayshon Boutte and Jaylin Noel -- if you guess right.
I like Schultz the best among Houston's pass catchers without Collins. Schultz just had eight targets in Week 1 against Buffalo, but he only finished with four catches for 35 yards. He should once again be heavily involved in Week 2 against the Bengals, who were No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends in 2025.
Cincinnati held Cade Otton to three catches for 26 yards in Week 1, but I expect Schultz to do better against this defense in Week 2. He should be considered a low-end starter in all leagues. Last year, Houston played two games without Collins in Week 8 against San Francisco and Week 18 against Indianapolis.
Schultz had a down game against the 49ers with only two catches for 24 yards on three targets, but he was much better against the Colts with four catches for 73 yards on four targets. Hutchinson was Houston's best receiver in the two games without Collins in 2025. He had five catches for 69 yards and a touchdown on six targets against San Francisco and five catches for 84 yards on nine targets against Indianapolis.
In Week 1 against Buffalo, Hutchinson had three catches for 32 yards on six targets. I would add Hutchinson first among the Texans' receivers, and he's worth using as a flex in Week 2 against the Bengals. Boutte wasn't in Houston in 2025, and he had a down game in Week 1 against Buffalo with one catch for 21 yards on two targets.
He should see the biggest boost in playing time with Collins out, and Boutte is a decent flier in deeper leagues for Week 2. Noel is also worth a flier in deeper leagues, and he had two catches for 53 yards on two targets against the Bills. He also had one good game without Collins in 2025 against the 49ers with five catches for 63 yards on six targets, but he had one catch for 13 yards on two targets against the Colts.
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