Lewis Bond will be available for the Houston Texans’ Week 2 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals after the team elevated the rookie receiver from its practice squad. It is Houston’s second standard elevation for the game, following veteran safety and special-teams player George Odum.
Nico Collins, a two-time Pro Bowl receiver, is set to miss the game. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, referencing a source from the league, reported that Collins has a Grade 1 hamstring injury and might be out for two games, including the Bengals matchup and the next contest against the Indianapolis Colts. Wilson said the circumstances could still change.
Houston drafted Bond 204th overall in the 2026 NFL draft, selecting him in the sixth round. The Texans released him during their cuts to a 53-player roster before bringing him back on the practice squad. Bond has two more practice-squad elevations available before Houston must place him on the 53-man roster or select another player.
Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson, Jared Wayne and Jaylin Noel are expected to play ahead of him at receiver. Before the draft, NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein praised Bond’s dependable hands and contested-catch ability, but cited his separation against press and man coverage as concerns. Zierlein said motion or bunch sets might provide ways for Bond to help, while his role against Cincinnati was not specified.
