Texans WR Tank Dell gives hopeful update amid injury recovery

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell is working to make a return to the playing field, coming off the gruesome knee injury that has kept him out of action since December 2024.

Over the weekend, Dell offered the latest update on his status following the team's mandatory minicamp. 

Tank Dell sees "light at the end of the tunnel" amid recovery

"It’s been a roller coaster ride," Dell acknowledged, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. "You know, I have my good days, I have my bad days. Just me keeping my trust in God, being faithful with God, and just knowing that He could come through for me. I always had, like, a levitating head. I always knew that’s the main thing, and I always kept that at the front of my head. It’s been a roller coaster ride, to say the least. It’s been a long journey, but I’m built for it, and I’m ready for it, and I was ready for it. I’m getting through it, and it’s light at the end of the tunnel, so I’m almost there."

Back on Dec. 21, 2024, Dell suffered a dislocated knee, a torn ACL, torn MCL, torn LCL and meniscus damage that left him needing multiple surgeries. Meanwhile, he is only under contract through the 2026 season. Thus, it's fair to say that both his short- and long-term futures are up in the air as he prepares to show that he can still be a key contributor.

Dell ended the 2024 regular season ranked third on the Texans with 51 receptions, third with 81 targets and second with 667 receiving yards. Over 14 games, he recorded three touchdown receptions. 

Tank Dell is glad he could catch passes thrown by C.J. Stroud this spring

Wilson noted that "the plan is to ramp [Dell up] at training camp in late July" after the receiver wasn't a full participant during the team's offseason program. That's only a positive for Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud, who may spend the upcoming season playing to receive a long-term extension from his current employer. 

"I’ll be there," Dell said about training camp. "Just to be out there with the team, man, and just to feel the camaraderie, just being out there and catching a ball from C.J. and being in the team atmosphere, man, it felt so good. Y’all don’t understand how long I waited for that."

It remains to be seen what Dell will and won't be for the Texans when they open the season with a matchup versus the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 13.