An already struggling Texans offense could be without its top pass catcher going forward. Star wide receiver Nico Collins suffered a concussion during Monday’s 27-19 loss to the Seahawks, per ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime.
Right now, the 26-year-old’s status for Sunday’s game vs. the 49ers is uncertain. Fellow wideout Christian Kirk (hamstring) is also sidelined. That could leave Houston in a precarious spot against one of the NFL’s top defensive units. Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins appear most likely to pick up the slack at wide receiver. Which of these two rookies can fantasy football managers consider starting in Week 8?
Jaylin Noel vs. Jayden Higgins: fantasy football outlook
It was a productive night for Noel, who recorded four catches for 77 yards on seven targets vs. Seattle. Prior to that performance, he had notched five combined catches over his previous five outings. The third-round pick entered the NFL as a slot specialist. His middling size (5’11”) and terrific speed back that up. For fantasy purposes, especially in PPR, Noel fits the mold of a weekly contributor. He earned a season-high 43% snap share vs. the Seahawks.
The biggest issue is that this Texans offense has been rough for most of 2025. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has been shaky, throwing for 1,305 yards and nine touchdowns while tossing four interceptions. His 91.1 QB rating is only the league’s 17th-best mark. That’s a far cry from what we’ve come to expect from the former Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Regardless, we’ve seen Stroud (even at his worst) support a fantasy WR1 in Collins. If the veteran can’t suit up, there should be ample targets to share in Houston. Rather than Noel, another big-bodied wide receiver might earn the lion’s share of Collins’ workload. Jayden Higgins, at 6’4″, certainly fits the mold. Through six games, the 22-year-old has snagged nine catches for 121 yards and a touchdown.
Those numbers, while unimpressive, don’t tell the whole story. Higgins took the field for 63% of snaps on Monday, second-most among Texans wide receivers. In addition, the Iowa State alum was selected as the 34th overall pick during last spring’s NFL Draft. Clearly, Houston’s front office thinks highly of the youngster. If anyone can fill Collins’ X-receiver role, it’s Higgins.
A look under the hood gives a slight edge to Higgins, who would have a direct boost in usage without Collins. However, it’s important to remember who the Texans are going up against. The 49ers are allowing just 216.6 passing yards per game to opponents this season. Keeping that in mind, deep shots might be a luxury for Houston in this one.
One area of weakness for San Francisco is at linebacker; All-Pro Fred Warner (ankle) is out for the season. That should make it easier for opposing offenses to complete short/intermediate passes. In Week 8, Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts hauled in seven catches for 62 yards. Could that mean Noel is due for a productive day out of the slot? Granted, Atlanta’s tight end is a far different player than the diminutive speedster. Regardless, he found plenty of room over the middle of the field.
In most matchups, Higgins makes more sense. After all, he’s more of a red zone threat. However, San Francisco’s defensive prowess should force managers to think twice. If the Texans find themselves trailing in the second half, the 49ers could shift into a prevent defense. That means allowing short passes rather than big plays. If Collins sits, don’t be shocked if Noel ends the afternoon with double-digit fantasy points.
