Since his rookie season, C.J. Stroud hasn’t performed at nearly the same level, and the entire Houston Texans offense has struggled as a result. While a porous offensive line has been a major cause for that drop-off, a large share of blame also falls on injuries. Their wide receiving core last year saw Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs for extended periods.
Near the end of the season, the third member of that trifecta, Tank Dell, suffered one of the most gruesome injuries anyone will ever see on a football field. Two weeks into a new year, the Texans’ offensive struggles haven’t improved. As a result, an update on Dell is becoming paramount for a team down 0-2 despite having playoff aspirations.
What Happened To Tank Dell?
Coming out of Houston, the Texans elected to draft him with the 69th overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. In a physically demanding sport, injuries affected Dell in each of his first two seasons.
His rookie season came to an end with just 11 games played due to a fractured fibula in Week 13. However, in that short span, he had already proven his value, accounting for 709 receiving yards, 47 receptions, and seven touchdowns.
Coming into 2024 fully healthy, he put together another solid campaign, tallying 667 yards in 10 starts. But his entire career trajectory changed in a Week 16 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Less than five minutes into the third quarter, Stroud connected with Dell on a 30-yard touchdown bomb to bring the score to 17-16 in favor of the Chiefs. However, the play can only be remembered for what happened afterwards.
When Dell did not get off the ground, it was clear that something was wrong. At the reception, the second-year receiver collided with his teammate, Jared Wayne. Further replays showed how devastating the blow to his leg was.
#TankDell
Siginificant concern for left knee & cart out
At least MCL injury, worry for much more (like dislocayion)
Potenial tibial plateau fracture &/or ACL tear as well
Fingers crossed but likely to miss signficant time
Costly TD with friendly fire injury pic.twitter.com/RvDu7o6acu— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) December 21, 2024
Upon further diagnosis, the true extent of his injuries came to light, and it was a horrifying report. He dislocated his knee cap and suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and LCL, with additional damage to his meniscus.
Understandably, it brought his second season to a brutal close and put his status for the 2025 season into jeopardy.
What Is Dell’s Timeline for a Return?
Right after the injury, he quickly underwent surgery to start the recovery process on his MCL and LCL. However, the youngster had to wait a while before beginning treatment on his ACL.
That came in early March, when he shared a picture on his Instagram story to announce that he had a successful procedure on his knee to repair the torn ACL. That still puts him on a timeline to return in the late stages of the season, if we’re being generous.
But he has still been a key component of the Texans’ locker room, and his attitude has won the approval of head coach DeMeco Ryans. Ahead of the start of the preseason, he sat down with Jane Slater as part of the Back Together Weekend and gave some updates on his wide receiver.
.@HoustonTexans HC DeMeco Ryans on how WR Tank Dell has been attacking the recovery process 💪
Back Together Weekend – Live on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/9bC0MCX64P— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 26, 2025
“Outstanding attitude. He’s in every meeting in the front row with a football in his hand.” Before the season went underway, he was officially placed on the reserve/ PUP list. Officially, it marks him out for the first four games of the year.
But unless he discovered a miracle antidote, Week 5 isn’t when Dell takes the field again for Houston. In his absence, the Texans went after two prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, bringing in Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins.
Additionally, a trade for Christian Kirk and the free agent signing of Braxton Berrios have given Ryans enough pieces to move forward with.
