The Houston Texans have brought rookie wide receiver Lewis Bond up from their practice squad for the Week 2 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. This is the team's second practice-squad call-up for the game, after veteran safety and special-teams contributor George Odum received the first one.
Nico Collins, a two-time Pro Bowl receiver, is set to miss the game. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, quoting a source from the league, reported that Collins has a Grade 1 hamstring injury and might also miss Houston's next game against the Indianapolis Colts. Wilson said the situation could still change.
Houston drafted Bond in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL draft, taking him 204th overall. The Texans released him while reducing their roster to 53 players, then placed him on the practice squad. He can be elevated two more times before Houston 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 ahead of him at receiver.
NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein previously described Bond as a reliable pass catcher who can make contested grabs. Zierlein also cited questions about Bond creating separation against press and man coverage, and said motion or bunch formations could aid his contributions. The Texans have not provided the extent of his role against Cincinnati.
