Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell’s injury put the team in a tough spot this season. They have a steep hill to climb in the AFC South, and head coach DeMeco Ryans would like the team to be as healthy as possible.
As they attempt to salvage a playoff push midseason, let’s examine Dell’s injury status and the likelihood of his availability on offense.
Will Texans WR Tank Dell Play Again This Season?
Optimistic news about the wideout’s return has yet to surface this season.
Catastrophe struck last December during the Texans’ matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Dell found the end zone on a 30-yard pass play from quarterback CJ Stroud in the third quarter, but the play spelled doom for the 2nd-year star, as a teammate rolled into his knee. He was carted off the field with a brace on his leg, and his day ended with six catches for 98 yards and a touchdown.
The young receiver was taken to a Kansas City hospital, where Coach Ryans said he would stay overnight with a “significant” injury to his left knee. The news had already suggested that his season was over, with the possibility of surgery lurking.
Ryans confirmed the following Monday that Dell suffered a torn ACL and a dislocated kneecap, and the 2nd-year pro was placed on IR for the remainder of the season. He underwent multiple surgeries to repair ligaments in his left knee (dislocated kneecap, torn ACL, LCL, MCL, and meniscus damage), which paved the way for a very long recovery process.
In May, Ryans said the receiver is still without a return timetable but added that “steady and impressive progress with major steps taken” has been made in his rehab.
Near the end of July, the Texans placed Dell on the Physically Unable to Perform list at the start of training camp. Rumors also grew louder that he’d miss most, if not all, of the 2025 campaign. GM Nick Caserio said the recovering wideout is “in the building every day. He’s working really hard, but we’re not going to put a timetable on anything.”
The last update came on August 26, when Dell was placed on the reserve/PUP list ahead of the season, with the expectation that he would miss at least four games. However, we’re midway through the season and still waiting for another update, suggesting that he is increasingly unlikely to feature this year.
The Texans are expected to continue with wideouts Nico Collins and Christian Kirk on the front line of their offense.
