Houston receiver Nico Collins is playing in the “Monday Night Football” game against the Dallas Cowboys, ending a five-game absence due to a hamstring injury.
Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr., who was tied for fifth in the NFL with 7 1/2 sacks before this week, will not play because of an ankle injury. Cornerback Kamari Lassiter is also out with a concussion.
When Collins was injured, he was leading the NFL with 567 receiving yards, and he still leads the Texans in that category.
Collins’ return comes at a time when quarterback C.J. Stroud is going through a small slump, and the AFC South-leading Texans have lost three of their last four games.
Collins was activated from injured reserve last week, but the Texans decided to keep him out of the 26-23 loss to Detroit.
The Cowboys have placed quarterback Dak Prescott on injured reserve after he underwent season-ending surgery for a torn hamstring. Cornerback Josh Butler was signed off the practice squad to take Prescott’s spot on the roster.
Dallas receiver CeeDee Lamb is active despite being listed on the injury report with a back issue late in the week. Cornerback Jourdan Lewis was ruled out earlier with a neck injury.