Why was Nico Collins hit with $22,511 fine? Explaining reason behind Texans WR's penalty

Last Sunday, the Houston Texans registered a hard-fought 24-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in an AFC South divisional battle at the NRG Stadium to improve to 3-1. The Texans offense feasted against the underfire Jaguars defense, as quarterback CJ Stroud and Co. finished the game with 435 yards and three touchdowns.

Wide receiver Nico Collins was responsible for nearly 1/3rd of those, finishing the game with 12 catches for 151 yards and one touchdown. Collins had a performance to be proud of but got bad news on Saturday as he was hit with a $22,511 fine for an indiscretion.

Why was Nico Collins fined?

On a 1st-and-10 play early in the first quarter, CJ Stroud found Nico Collins on a play-action pass, which the wide receiver took 12 yards to move the chains. He finished the play strong, which earned his coach DeMeco Ryans' approval.

However, the league deemed Collins lowered his helmet to make contact with a Jaguars defender intentionally and fined him $22,511 for unnecessary roughness.

While the play looked innocuous and wasn't flagged by the officiating crew, the league concluded after a retrospective review that the wide receiver had violated the mandate. As disappointing and perplexed as he would be about the fine, Collins wouldn't be too upset, considering he helped secure a critical win for the Jaguars.

The wide receiver has had a sensational season so far and his 151-yard performance against Jacksonville was his third game in four outings with at least 100 receiving yards this season. He leads the league in receiving yards with 489 yards.

The next closest is Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Chris Godwin, with 386 yards, who has played one game more than the Texans receiver. Stroud and the team would hope that he can replicate his sensational performance against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.