Texans WR Tank Dell To Play In Week 7

Dell suffered a gruesome leg injury, including a dislocated knee and multiple torn ligaments, towards the end of the 2024 campaign. He sat out the entire 2025 season as he continued to rehab, but he showed considerable progress ahead of 2026.

The Texans placed Dell on the injured reserve-designated for return list during roster cutdowns, assuring he would miss at least the first four games of the season. The wideout returned to practice almost two weeks ago, and now the team is ready to add him back to the 53-man roster.

“I just expect Tank to be himself, no huge expectations, all just excited to see him out there for first time in over two years, thankful, grateful to him,” Ryans told reporters (via Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston). “I don’t have any expectations, just happy to see him out there. We all know Tank is an explosive player, still quick as ever, ask our defenders covering him past two weeks. I expect him to really stress defenders.”

When Dell was last on the field, he was forming a notable connection with C.J. Stroud. The former third-round WR was productive through his first two NFL seasons, averaging 55 receiving yards per game while hauling in 10 total touchdowns. He also saw some action on special teams, returning 18 punts through two seasons.

The team’s receiver depth looks a bit different than the last time Dell was active. Nico Collins is still leading the grouping with Xavier Hutchinson serving as a bottom-of-the-depth-chart piece. Otherwise, the WR room has seen some changes. Jaylin Noel was added in the third-round of the 2025 draft, and the team has acquired both Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kayshon Boutte via trade over the last month-plus.