Bobby Slowik explains how Texans could work around WR Robert Woods’ absence

The injury report does not bode well for Robert Woods.

The 11th-year receiver has been a non-participant in two of the three practices due to a foot injury — and this is coming out of a bye week.

More than likely the Houston Texans will be without Woods’ services when they take on the Carolina Panthers Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time for Week 8 at Bank of America Stadium.

While Woods has been a productive member of the Texans’ receiving corps, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik explained for reporters Oct. 26 that Houston’s skill positions are about the functionality as a group, not a particular player.

“I’ve mentioned this before, but we have a whole stable of receivers that we feel really good about,” said Slowik. “We think all of them have traits and things that they do really well. We want each of them — we want to put all of them in positions to take advantage of their skills. ‘Woody’ [Woods] has his skillset that he’s really good at and that we take advantage of, and he continues to grow in.”

If the Texans can’t use Woods against the Panthers, Slowik offered Nico Collins, Tank Dell, John Metchie, and Xavier Hutchinson as other wideouts who have something to offer out in the pattern.

Said Slowik: “It’s not so much like — ‘Oh, man, if we miss any of these guys, we’re missing this piece.’ It’s more, ‘Okay, as a group, these two guys do this other thing well — how do we take advantage of the same hole maybe in a different way? That’s really anytime we miss anybody as a skill player on offense.”

Woods has caught 22 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown through six starts.