(SportsRadio 610) - Texans veteran wide receiver Robert Woods has not practiced all week leading up to Sunday's game in Carolina and has officially been ruled out.
Woods, 31, has played in all six games for the Texans so far and is their most targeted receiver, having reeled in 22 of his 43 targets this season for 227 yards and a touchdown.
As integral of a piece as Woods has been to rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Texans offense this season, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said the Texans never feel like their back is up against the wall when a guy can't play.
"We have a whole stable of receivers that we feel really good about," Slowik said Thursday. "We think all of them have traits and things that they do really well. We want to put all of them in positions to take advantage of their skills. 'Woody' has his skillset that he's really good at and that we take advantage of, and he continues to grow in.
Collins, who is 10th in the NFL in receiving yards (547), is just 45th in targets. The third-year pro has been targeted just 10 times combined the past two games after being thrown at a total of 32 times the previous four weeks.
Through the Texans' first six games, they rank 17th in the most pass attempts, but could look to run it more Sunday against a Panthers defense that has allowed the seventh most rushing yards and the fifth most yards per carry.
Coming from the Shanahan system, Slowik thinks he's found an opportunity with the Texans to establish something that's been a staple within the Mike and Kyle Shanahan offensive system.
While there is typically that 'bell cow' type of running back, they've always had guys that can share the load.
NOTE:
The Texans will also be without tight end Brevin Jordan (foot) and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (knee) for this Sunday's game against the Panthers.
