Lewis Bond is set to join the Houston Texans for their Week 2 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals after being called up from the practice squad. The move follows the earlier elevation of veteran safety and special-teams player George Odum, giving Houston two standard practice-squad elevations for the game.
Nico Collins, a two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, is ruled out. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, referencing a league source, reported that Collins has a Grade 1 hamstring issue and may be sidelined for the Cincinnati game and the next matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Wilson said the circumstances could still change.
Houston chose Bond in the 2026 NFL draft at No. 204 overall in Round 6. The Texans released him while reducing their roster to 53 players, then placed him on the practice squad. Bond can be elevated twice more before Houston must put him on the 53-man roster or select another player.
Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson, Jared Wayne and Jaylin Noel are expected to be used before him at receiver, although Bond’s role was not specified. Before the draft, NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein cited Bond’s dependable hands and contested-catch ability, while raising questions about his separation against press and man coverage.
