Texans Update Where Tank Dell Stands in Injury Recovery

The Houston Texans are set to get wide receiver Tank Dell back from his extended injury absence in 2026 after missing all of last season with the devastating leg injury he suffered two years ago.

However, while it appears that Dell is trending in the right direction to make a fully healthy return rolling into next season, don't expect the Texans to rush the process along in getting their standout pass-catcher back in the mix.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans addressed what he's seen from Dell in recent months leading up to next season, noting that he's been hard at work behind the scenes with a positive attitude, but is still unsure of whether he'll be ready to go during OTAs in May.

“Tank, he’s grinding, great attitude,” Ryans said during the NFL meetings in Arizona, via KPRC2's Aaron Wilson. “Don’t know if OTAs he’ll be there, but I know he’ll be back for us at some point this year. As I told Tank, it’s not a matter of getting back to OTAs just to get back, it’s just a matter of getting back in a really good spot physically to where you stay there."

“That’s the main thing. It’s not about how quickly he returns. It’s just about Tank returning because we saw what Tank can do: the playmaking that he provides to our entire team. Just getting him back, whenever that time is, it’s going to lift our team."

Tank Dell Working Hard, But Status Unclear for OTAs

While the timeline of when exactly Dell will be back is still up in the air, to hear that he's back in the lab, busy to get ready for next season, paired with confidence from his head coach, it looks to be a good sign of what to expect in the months ahead.

Dell has been a bright spot of the Texans' receiver room ever since coming aboard as a third-rounder in 2023 at 69th overall. In the 25 games he's played with Houston, he's put together 98 receptions for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns, and has consistently been a favorite target of C.J. Stroud's when healthy.

Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (3) celebrates after a play during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Without veteran slot man Christian Kirk in the fold after his departure to the San Francisco 49ers, it clears the way for Dell to reclaim his spot as the Texans' slot afficionado and explosive playmaker he once was before, so long as he's healthy next season.

Dell will also with pair next to 2025 third-round pick Jaylin Noel, who's bound to have a bigger role on the offensive side of the ball for what will be his second year in Houston.

Even if Dell needs more time before he's officially at 100%, the good thing for him and the Texans is that there's still over a month to go until those OTAs are underway, and even longer before Week One kicks off in September.

That offers him more than enough time for him to get back to the field, but also to the level he once was before going down with the injury in the first place.

Sign up for our free Houston Texans On SI newsletter, and get breaking Texans news delivered to your inbox daily!