ARLINGTON -- Texans rookie wide receiver Nico Collins did not participate in Saturday's game against the Dallas Cowboys due to an unspecified muscle pull.
After notching a team-long 24-yard reception from fellow rookie quarterback Davis Mills in the preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, Collins was held from the Cowboys game as a precaution.
Head coach David Culley said Collins will be fine, and could have played Saturday.
"He just had a little muscle pull," Culley said Saturday night after the game. "Something that we just felt like that we really didn’t need to play him tonight for that reason. We knew that if we gave him some rest that he’ll be ready to go. He actually could have played tonight if we wanted him to play tonight. Our staff felt like it was best to not play him where we can get that thing taken care of and move forward."
Based on what Collins has shown in training camp and the way coaches and teammates talk about him, he could contribute immediately as a rookie.
Brandin Cooks is expected to be the Texans' No. 1 receiver, with Collins, Chris Conley and a competitive mix of others vying for playing time.