Houston will have rookie wide receiver Lewis Bond available for its Week 2 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals after bringing him up from the Texans' practice squad. The move is the team's second standard elevation for the game, following veteran safety and special-teams contributor George Odum.
Nico Collins, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, is out for Week 2. KPRC 2 reporter Aaron Wilson, who cited a league source, reported that Collins has a Grade 1 hamstring injury and might miss both the Bengals game and the next matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. Wilson said the situation could still change.
Houston drafted Bond with the 204th overall selection in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL draft. The team released him during its roster reduction to 53 players, then placed him on the practice squad. Bond can receive two more practice-squad call-ups before the Texans must add him to the 53-man roster or select another player.
Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson, Jared Wayne and Jaylin Noel are expected to be used before Bond at receiver. NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein previously described Bond as having reliable hands and making contested catches, while citing questions about his separation against press and man coverage. Zierlein said motion or bunch formations could assist his contributions.
Bond's role against Cincinnati was not specified.
