Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell exited Sunday’s blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings, which concerned Texans fans and fantasy managers.
What’s the latest on Dell’s status, and is he at risk for missing Week 4? Here’s the latest on the sophomore wide receiver.
Tank Dell’s Status
During a meaningless final drive with Davis Mills under center, Dell left the game with a hand injury and received attention from the medical staff.
Fortunately, there are no signs of this being a long-term issue. The beat reporters did not seem to express immediate concern. After the game, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters that Dell “should be fine” but did not expand further on the injury situation.
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Tank Dell 'should be fine' @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/DBCvxTvOlC
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 22, 2024
On Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reported that Dell is dealing with soreness and also took a shot to his ribs in Week 3. While it’s great to hear that Dell avoided a significant injury, the fact that he is at less than full strength in an offense that has plenty of options is less than ideal.
On Wednesday, Dell was a non-participant at practice due to a chest injury. There was no mention of his hand or arm on the injury report. Therefore, it would appear that the shot to the ribs is proving to be the bigger complication for the Texans’ WR.
Dell missed practice all week and was ruled out on Friday.
Dell saw a total of six targets in Week 3, catching five of them for 62 yards. Two of those receptions for 34 yards came on the final drive with Mills in the game.
Dell missed the final six games of last season with an injury that came while trying to make a block.
Fantasy Impact of Dell’s Injury
That last drive will have helped salvage Dell’s Week 3 for fantasy managers, as he finished with 11.2 fantasy points in PPR. However, it may have cost more long term if the hand injury ends up forcing him to miss time.
Dell has yet to find his rhythm in an offense that features more weapons than it did a year ago when he broke out as a rookie.
Fantasy football managers should be fearing his lack of a consistent role more than the impact of what appears to be a minor injury that was treated with caution due to the state of the game.
Nico Collins has established himself as the primary deep option, and if three weeks are any indication, Stefon Diggs is going to live in the short area. The former Buffalo Bill hasn’t had a catch gain more than 21 yards yet, continuing a shortening of his route tree that we saw down the stretch of last season.
Dell is a risk-reward Flex play when at full strength and a player you need to keep on the pine if he is at anything less.