The Houston Texans have made rookie wide receiver Lewis Bond available for their Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, giving him the team's second standard practice-squad elevation for the matchup. Veteran safety and special-teams player George Odum received the other elevation.
Nico Collins, a two-time Pro Bowl receiver, is out for Week 2. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, citing a league source, reported that Collins has a Grade 1 hamstring injury and may miss both the Bengals game and the next matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Wilson also reported that the situation could change.
Houston drafted Bond at No. 204 in Round 6 of the 2026 NFL draft, then released him during its cuts to 53 players before returning him to the practice squad. He can be elevated two more times before the Texans 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 Bond at receiver.
Before the draft, NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein described Bond as having dependable hands and an ability to make contested catches. Zierlein cited difficulty creating separation against press and man coverage, while saying formations using motion or bunches might aid his impact. The Texans have not provided the size of Bond's role against Cincinnati.
