Tank Dell had a solid, if not spectacular, season going into Week 16 of the 2024 season against the Kansas City Chiefs. Then, with 11:48 left in the third quarter and the Texans down 17-10, Dell made a spectacular 30-yard catch in the end zone to cut the lead to 17-16. However, he paid a terrible price.
As he held onto the pass from C.J. Stroud, he collided with teammate Jared Wayne, and his knee exploded. He tore his ACL, damaged his MCL, LCL, and meniscus, and dislocated his kneecap.
Dell was carted off the field and was ruled out for the rest of the 2024 season.
What Is Tank Dell’s Prognosis for 2025?
Dell is still recovering from his devastating leg injury. In May, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans offered an update to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson, saying, “Tank is doing great. He’s in good spirits. He’s on the road to recovery. He’s doing really well on his rehab process. He’s in a really good spot, so excited to see how that continues to progress.”
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans update on Tank Dell recovery from torn ACL, MCL, LCL, dislocated knee cap ‘in great spirits,’ not specifying return date, focus on not rushing him at all as he works his way back from devastating knee injury @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/EYJNmqVDIn
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 5, 2025
Despite the positive updates about Dell’s spirits and rehab progress, the reality is harsh. Dell started the 2025-26 season on injured reserve, and Wilson reports that, “Texans wide receiver Tank Dell will not be practicing or playing for a long time as he continues to recover…”
Before his injury, Dell was quietly putting together a solid campaign. Dell finished 2024 with 51 receptions for 667 yards and three touchdowns. However, those numbers now feel like they belonged to a different era, with Dell facing an uncertain road back to the field.
The math on Dell’s return is unforgiving. He’s expected to miss a significant portion of the 2025-26 season. An injury of this magnitude requires a long and complex rehabilitation process.
How Did the Texans Address Dell’s Absence?
Understanding they couldn’t simply wait for Dell’s return, the Texans aggressively retooled their receiving corps this offseason. After Stefon Diggs signed with the New England Patriots, Texans knew they needed immediate help and long-term solutions.
The team made multiple moves to compensate for Dell’s absence. They traded for Christian Kirk, bringing in a proven veteran who can handle a significant target share. In free agency, they signed Justin Watson and Braxton Berrios, adding depth and special teams value. But perhaps most importantly, they invested heavily in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Iowa State receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the second and third rounds.
Meanwhile, Nico Collins remains the focal point of the passing attack. The primary outside threat dealt with hamstring issues throughout 2024-25 but is currently listed as healthy and participating fully in practice. Collins is expected to shoulder the load as the Texans’ top receiver while Dell works his way back from injury.
The Texans’ aggressive approach to replacing Dell’s production shows they’re not banking on his return anytime soon. Instead, they’re building a receiver room that can function without him, giving Dell the time he needs to properly heal while ensuring C.J. Stroud has the weapons necessary to continue the team’s offensive development.
