Tank Dell Returns to Texans Roster After 22-Month Injury Absence

A 22-Month Wait Ends in Houston

Tank Dell is back. The Houston Texans wide receiver will make his return to the field Sunday against the New York Giants, ending a 22-month absence from game action. The team officially activated Dell from the injured reserve list on Saturday.

The Anatomy of a Career-Threatening Injury

Dell’s path back to the active roster began after a catastrophic injury during a Week 16 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 21, 2024. While securing a 30-yard touchdown reception, the receiver suffered a dislocated kneecap and tears to his ACL, MCL, LCL, and meniscus. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the 2024 season and the entirety of last season. The Texans officially opened a 21-day practice window for Dell on Oct. 6, with the receiver returning to team drills the following day.

Ryans Sees No Loss of Speed

Coach DeMeco Ryans says the long layoff has not diminished Dell’s primary asset. “He’s still quick as ever,” Ryans stated. “Ask our defenders who was covering him the past couple weeks, he’s been putting us in some tough matchups in practice the past two weeks.”

For his part, Dell is looking past the trauma of his previous injury. “I don’t care about none of that. I’m ready to get tackled,” Dell said. “I’m gonna be joyful. Y’all gonna see the passion I have after I had that first catch.”

Texans Elevate Players as Dell Returns to Lineup

To accommodate the move, the Texans elevated cornerback Bryce Hall and linebacker Kenneth Murray from the practice squad for the Giants game. Dell returns to the lineup with 98 catches for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns across 25 games and 18 starts. A third-round pick in 2023 out of Houston, Dell will look to regain that form when play begins Sunday.

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