The Houston Texans’ offense is missing a major piece, and there are no signs that he will be returning soon. Star wide receiver Tank Dell, the team’s dynamic deep threat, has been sidelined since suffering a devastating knee injury in December 2024.
As the 2025 season pushes past its midway point, the questions are only getting louder. Will Dell play at all this year, or is his recovery pushing into 2026?
What Is the Latest on Tank Dell’s Recovery Timeline?
Dell suffered a dislocated kneecap and tore multiple ligaments, including his ACL, MCL, and LCL, in a Week 16 game against Kansas City in December 2024. After being carted off the field, he underwent multiple surgeries and finished the 2024-25 season on injured reserve. The severity of the damage has necessitated a lengthy and meticulous rehabilitation process.
Heading into the current season, the Texans placed Dell on the reserve/PUP list in late August. The move required him to miss a minimum of four games and barred him from practicing with the team.
As of early November, he has not been activated or even cleared to practice, with reports indicating there is “no clear timetable” for his return. While head coach DeMeco Ryans noted Dell’s “steady and impressive progress” back in May, the organization has consistently avoided setting a target date for his return to play.
Additionally, reports suggest that the timing and complexity of the injury make a return in 2025 unlikely. A brief from Yahoo and Sporting News assessed that Dell will “almost certainly” not play this season. This is based on the fact that multi-ligament reconstructions from a late-December injury typically require a full year or more before a player can even return to practice.
When Can the Texans Realistically Expect Dell to Return?
With no official timetable, all signs indicate that Dell’s recovery will extend beyond the 2025 season. Since Dell has not yet been designated to return from the PUP list or had his practice window opened, he appears to be a long way from meeting the team’s medical thresholds for activation. The Texans’ internal guidance has stressed patience, which aligns with managing a complex knee injury for long-term health.
The practical outlook is that Houston is focused on a full recovery for Dell rather than pushing for a cameo late in the season. This strategy leaves the team’s receiving plan centered on Nico Collins and Christian Kirk as the primary targets. According to PFSN’s NFL Football Playoff Meter, the Texans currently have a 25.5% chance of making the playoffs without him.
Given the severity of the injury and the extended rehabilitation, a more realistic target for Dell’s full availability is the 2026 season, assuming his progress continues and he receives clearance for offseason work.
