Tank Dell
Wide Receiver #3
Tank Dell News
Tank Dell Officially Active for Week 7 Against Giants
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is active for Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the New York Giants, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, but he's a deeper-league stash, not a safe starter. Dell will make his first regular-season appearance since December 21, 2024, when he suffered a serious knee injury against the Kansas City Chiefs. Houston activated the 26-year-old on Saturday and removed his questionable designation after he practiced in full throughout Week 7. Head coach DeMeco Ryans has tempered expectations for Dell's return, and the Texans already have considerable competition for targets with Nico Collins, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Jaylin Noel. Given his lengthy absence and uncertain initial workload, Dell is a risky Week 7 starter.
Oct 25, 2026 7:48 AM EST
Tank Dell Added to Texans' 53-Man Roster, Will Play in Week 7
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is set to make his long-awaited return to the field in Week 7 against the New York Giants, per Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Dell has not played since suffering a devastating knee injury in Week 16 of the 2024 season. Dell was a productive player for Houston before suffering the injury, recording 98 catches for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns on 156 targets across the first 25 games of his NFL career. He now joins a crowded Houston wide receiver room that includes Nico Collins, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaylin Noel, and Kayshon Boutte. Between the Texans' depth and Dell's long layoff from playing football, his immediate role in the team's offense is unclear. Fantasy managers should avoid starting Dell in Week 7, but he's worth monitoring as a potential waiver wire addition now that he's back on the field for Houston.
Oct 24, 2026 12:40 PM EST
Tank Dell Not a Strong Play in Possible Return
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) has been out for almost two full years after a serious knee injury suffered in Week 16 of the 2024 season. He is officially questionable to return this week after his long recovery process, and coach DeMeco Ryans said he is "on track" to make his return against the Giants in Week 7. He'll need to be activated from IR on Saturday for that to be the case, so watch the news for that announcement. Even if he is able to play this week, the team will likely manage his workload very closely after such a significant injury. The Texans have a Week 8 bye week, so Dell will have more time to recover before their next contest. Look for the team to ease him back into the flow of the offense, even if he is ready to return. While the speedster has had big-play potential in the past, he is only the No. 84 WR in RotoBaller's rankings for this week, so he can be left on the bench in almost all formats until he has shown he's ready for a full workload.
Oct 24, 2026 4:07 AM EST
Tank Dell Officially Questionable to Return From IR in Week 7
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is officially listed as questionable to come off Injured Reserve to make his season debut in Week 7 on Sunday against the New York Giants, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. The Texans made it sound like Dell would return this weekend against the Giants when asked about it earlier this week, but he remains up in the air to play for the first time since December of the 2024 season, when he suffered a left-knee injury that involved several ligament tears. The injury kept the speedy former third-rounder out for the entire 2025 season. Now that Dell is on the verge of a return to the Texans' roster, he is worth stashing in deeper leagues with hopes that he can rediscover the big-play ability that he showed in his first two years in the league. The 26-year-old had 98 catches for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first two seasons. However, it could be an uphill battle for Dell to find consistent playing time alongside Nico Collins, Jaylin Noel, and newcomer and former first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr. for the rest of the way in 2026. If Dell is active on Sunday, he should be left on the bench where he is rostered.
Oct 23, 2026 1:58 PM EST
Tank Dell Practicing in Full on Wednesday
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) practiced in full on Wednesday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Monday that Dell was on track to make his season debut in Week 7 against the New York Giants, and his return to a full practice on Wednesday supports that report. The 26-year-old will return to a much more crowded WR picture in Houston now that second-year pass-catcher Jaylin Noel is emerging. The Texans also went out and acquired struggling former first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr. from the Arizona Cardinals, and they have plans to get him more involved than he was in his time with the Cardinals. Dell, a former third-rounder in 2023 from Houston, is still an interesting waiver-wire target now that he is on the verge of a return in 2026. He missed all of last year after tearing multiple ligaments in his left knee in 2024. Before his injury, Dell was a big-play threat downfield and caught 98 of 156 targets for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in his 25 games played (18 starts) in two seasons. If he makes his season debut against the G-Men this weekend, fantasy managers who have Dell stashed should not be looking to start him immediately.
Oct 21, 2026 1:38 PM EST
Tank Dell a Potential Waiver Target Ahead of His Long-Awaited Return
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is expected to make his 2026 season debut in the team's Week 7 matchup with the Giants, and while he'll join a suddenly crowded wide receiver room, the 2023 third-round pick is worthy of waiver consideration in a relatively scarce week. Dell last saw an NFL field in Week 16 of 2024 and has spent the past 22 months recovering from the devastating knee injury that ended his second professional season, but in 25 career games, he has averaged over 55 receiving yards while scoring 10 touchdowns. The Texans are deep at the position following the recent trade for former first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. and the Week 6 emergence of second-year player Jaylin Noel, but they have also thrown the ball at the league's seventh-highest rate through six weeks, and Dell's versatility and connection with quarterback C.J. Stroud could help him find a role in an ascending offense.
Oct 20, 2026 9:36 AM EST
Tank Dell Expected to Make 2026 Season Debut Against Giants
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is expected to make his 2026 season debut Sunday against the New York Giants. According to Aaron Wilson, head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed Monday that Dell is expected to play, saying, "We'll see Tank out there Sunday vs. the Giants. Very excited to see him back." Dell hasn't played in a regular-season game since suffering a severe knee injury against Kansas City in December 2024, which required multiple surgeries and kept him sidelined throughout 2025. The 26-year-old returned to practice earlier this month and logged consecutive full sessions last Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out Houston's Week 6 victory over Jacksonville. His return comes with more competition for targets, especially after the acquisition of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jaylin Noel's 107-yard performance against the Jaguars. Dell is worth stashing in deeper fantasy leagues, but his initial snap count and involvement will show how quickly he can regain a significant offensive role.
Oct 19, 2026 11:52 AM EST
Tank Dell Will Remain on Injured Reserve in Week 6
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) will not travel with the team to London and has been officially ruled out for the Week 6 contest on Sunday against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. Dell has practiced in full in both practices this week, but the Texans do not feel that he is quite ready to come off Injured Reserve to make his 2026 debut. But if the 26-year-old continues to make progress going into next week, he could be officially activated to return in Week 7 against the New York Giants. He is recovering from a severe left-knee injury (he tore multiple ligaments) that kept him out for all of last season. It remains to be seen if the former third-rounder from the University of Houston can regain his downfield speed and burst, but even after the Texans acquired former first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr. in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals, Dell could play a key role in the team's passing attack behind WR1 Nico Collins when he returns. Dell is not a bad WR stash for fantasy managers with IR spots available. He caught 98 passes for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns on 98 targets in his first two years in the NFL.
Oct 15, 2026 2:15 PM EST
Tank Dell Now Practicing in Full as Season Debut Nears
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) was listed as a full participant in practice on Wednesday, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. It was a lighter practice, but it was still the first time that Dell has practiced in full since returning from a devastating left-knee injury that kept him out for the entire 2025 season. The Texans opened the 26-year-old's 21-day practice window last Wednesday, so he is technically eligible at any time to come off Injured Reserve to make his 2026 debut. The Texans are expected to ease Dell back into the fold when he is ready, but with an opportunity to carve out a pretty big role in the team's passing attack by the end of the season, Dell is worth a waiver-wire pickup with his season debut looming. Before his knee injury late in the 2024 season, the former third-rounder from Houston caught 98 passes for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns on 156 targets in 25 games over two seasons in the league. Dell has big-play abilities downfield, although his speed may not be the same as it was before his serious knee injury. Depending on how he fares the rest of the week, Dell could realistically make his return in Week 6 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
Oct 14, 2026 2:11 PM EST
Tank Dell Worth an IR Stash in Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is back on the practice field, but there is still too much uncertainty surrounding his role to consider him a priority waiver addition for Week 6. Houston opened his 21-day practice window on October 6, and Dell was limited Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out Friday's practice and being ruled out against Tennessee. He hasn't played since suffering a severe knee injury in December 2024, though his first two NFL seasons demonstrated his potential with 98 receptions for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns across 25 games. The receiving corps awaiting him looks considerably different, however, after Houston acquired Marvin Harrison Jr. from Arizona on Monday. Nico Collins remains a prominent part of the passing attack, while Jaylin Noel strengthened his case for additional opportunities by catching five passes for 41 yards and a touchdown against the Titans in Week 5. Dell's eventual workload remains difficult to project, especially after such a lengthy absence. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues with an available IR spot can justify stashing him while Houston determines when he's ready to return and how he fits into its crowded receiving rotation.
Oct 13, 2026 12:12 PM EST
Tank Dell Won't Make Season Debut in Week 5
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is working hard to make his way back from a devastating left-knee injury that kept him out for the entire 2025 season, but he is not there yet and will not make his 2026 debut in Week 5 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. The Texans' official website has listed Dell as out this week. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but he was held out of Friday's practice. The 26-year-old former third-rounder from Houston will have to do more in practice next week to have a chance to make his return from Injured Reserve on Sunday, Oct. 18, versus the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars on the road. Dell caught 98 of his 156 targets for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons, making him an intriguing WR stash in fantasy leagues, even if it might take him a bit to get up to speed after his long injury layoff. He becomes a bit more interesting since the Texans are looking for an explosive complement to WR1 Nico Collins. Dell is currently rostered in just 18% of Yahoo leagues.
Oct 9, 2026 2:59 PM EST
Tank Dell in Pads, Getting Close to a Return
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) was seen practicing in pads on Thursday. ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime writes that it "is huge" and "means he is very close." Dell was listed as limited on Wednesday in his return to practice, which opened his 21-day window to be officially activated from Injured Reserve. The 26-year-old suffered a devastating knee injury late in the 2024 campaign and was unable to play at all last year. The Texans brought him along slowly in training camp this summer and placed him on IR to begin the regular season. But now that he has missed the required four games, he could be on the cusp of rejoining a Texans' receiving corps that is hungry for reinforcements and playmakers behind Nico Collins after Jayden Higgins suffered a season-ending knee injury during the preseason. It would be a bit of a surprise if Dell is activated to make his season debut in Week 5 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans, but he is clearly getting closer and deserves stashing in most fantasy football leagues for his big-play ability. The former third-rounder from Houston caught 98 passes for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns (seven as a rookie) in his first two years in the NFL.
Oct 8, 2026 10:13 AM EST
Texans Designate Tank Dell to Return From Injured Reserve
The Houston Texans officially designated wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday, and he is practicing, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Dell is still on IR, but his 21-day window to be activated is officially open. The 26-year-old technically could return to make his 2026 debut this weekend against the division-rival Tennessee Titans, but that probably will not happen. Dell missed all of the 2025 campaign for Houston due to a gruesome knee injury that was initially feared to be career-threatening. The former third-rounder from Houston caught 98 of his 156 targets for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first two seasons in the NFL with the Texans before his injury in 2024, making him an intriguing injured receiver to stash. The Texans could really use another wideout to step up alongside Nico Collins, and Dell could be that guy, even if he is not the same speedy wideout he was before his serious knee injury. Right now, Dell is only rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues, so he is widely available for those looking for WR depth.
Oct 7, 2026 10:47 AM EST
Tank Dell Can Be a Great Depth Stash
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is expected to return to practice this week, as the team opens his three-week practice window to return from IR. The speedster made a big fantasy impact for Houston in both 2023 and 2024 before season-ending injuries cut short both seasons. His knee injury in 2024 was so catastrophic that he missed all of the 2025 season and is still finishing his recovery. In his absence, the Texans have rotated multiple receivers behind Nico Collins, but none has seized the full-time No. 2 receiver job. Dell could work his way back into that role if he shows he still has the big-play potential he displayed prior to his injury. He's a high-risk pickup since his return is still uncertain and he may be eased back in, but if you have the roster flexibility, Dell brings enough upside to be worth holding in deep leagues.
Oct 6, 2026 5:33 AM EST
Texans Expected to Open Tank Dell's Practice Window
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said that the team expects to open the practice window for wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) to return from Injured Reserve this week, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Once the Texans open the practice window for Dell this week, they will have 21 days to officially activate him from IR so that he can make his 2026 season debut. It is great news that Dell is expected to resume practicing with the team this week, but it does not mean that he will be ready to play in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans this Sunday. And when Dell eventually makes his season debut, the Texans will most likely ease him back into their offense after he suffered a catastrophic knee injury in 2024 that caused him to miss all of the 2025 season. But in a Texans offense that could use some help behind WR1 Nico Collins, Dell could eventually have a sizable role in the team's passing attack by the end of the 2026 campaign, making him stash-worthy right now in deeper leagues. The 26-year-old former third-rounder from Houston has 98 catches for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in 25 games for the Texans in his two NFL seasons.
Oct 5, 2026 8:50 AM EST
Tank Dell an Intriguing Stash in Leagues with an IR Spot
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) will open the season on injured reserve. While that takes him off the immediate fantasy radar, it actually gives him specific appeal as a player to target on the waiver wire. Many fantasy leagues designate one or two roster spots specifically for players on injured reserve, for which Dell would be eligible. As a result, managers who are on the fence about stashing the Texans' wideout can now add him without occupying a normal roster spot. Dell is working his way back from a brutal knee injury that he suffered more than 18 months ago. It has been a long recovery process, and he's still not quite ready to get back on the field. However, he's worth stashing for once he's healthy enough to play again. He'll presumably be in the mix for the No. 2 receiver role alongside Nico Collins, especially after Jayden Higgins (knee) was placed on season-ending IR.
Sep 8, 2026 8:34 PM EST
Tank Dell Restructures his Deal With Houston
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee), who is opening the 2026 season on Injured Reserve, renegotiated the final year of his contract and is due $1.704 million, including a $500,000 signing bonus, $1 million total guaranteed, a salary-cap figure of $1.988 million, and a $1.145 million salary, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Dell was previously due $3.624 million in the final year of his rookie deal with a $3.967 million salary-cap figure. The 26-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 from the University of Houston tore multiple ligaments in his knee in a devastating injury in 2024 and was unable to return at all last year. Dell was slowly being ramped up in training camp this summer, but now that he's on IR, he will not be eligible to make his 2026 season debut until at least Week 5. Even though fellow wideout Jayden Higgins (knee) is out for the year, Dell remains a question mark this year as far as what his role will be when he is cleared to return. The addition of Kayshon Boutte via trade from the New England Patriots will not help Dell's case for fantasy relevance later this year. For now, Nico Collins, Boutte, and Jaylin Noel will be quarterback C.J. Stroud's top three receivers.
Sep 4, 2026 8:10 AM EST
Texans GM Says Tank Dell is Close to Return
After a 20-month recovery from the gruesome knee injury that ended his 2024 season, Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell was placed on Injured Reserve with a designation to return to begin the 2026 season. On Tuesday, Texans general manager Nick Caserio provided an update, telling reporters, "He's close; he's not quite there. He's closer than he was during training camp." Dell will miss at least the first four games of the season, but can be activated as early as Week 5, ahead of a divisional clash with the Titans. A third-round pick in 2023, Dell demonstrated an immediate connection with quarterback C.J. Stroud to begin his career, but after a prolonged absence, it is fair to question what his role might look like upon his long-awaited return. The 26-year-old is RotoBaller's WR125 and worthy of final-round consideration in leagues with an IR slot.
Sep 1, 2026 9:49 AM EST
Tank Dell Officially Starting the Season on Injured Reserve
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) has been placed on injured reserve to open the regular season, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Dell is working his way back from a complicated knee injury, including a torn ACL, torn MCL, torn LCL, and a dislocated kneecap. He suffered the injury 18+ months ago, but due to the severity of the injury and the lengthy recovery process, he's still not ready to play. The first bit of good news is that he'll be eligible to return after Week 4, so we should expect to see him back on the field at some point this season. The other good news is that he has been involved in some team drills, so he's getting closer to reintegrating into practice. The Texans would love to get Dell back as soon as possible; they recently lost Jayden Higgins (knee) to season-ending IR, leaving Jaylin Noel and Kayshon Boutte in competition to start opposite Nico Collins.
Aug 30, 2026 4:27 PM EST
Tank Dell Reportedly Nowhere Near Ready to Play
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) may still be a long way from making his return. John McClain wrote that Houston should have a full-speed Dell next season, "hopefully sooner," while adding that he is nowhere near ready to play right now. That's a sobering update after Dell returned to team drills earlier this month and generated some optimism about a 2026 comeback. The 26-year-old suffered a devastating left knee injury in December 2024, dislocating the knee while tearing his ACL, MCL and LCL and damaging his meniscus. He required multiple surgeries and missed the entire 2025 season. Dell had 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games before going down. McClain's wording leaves open the possibility of Dell playing at some point this season, but fantasy managers should not be counting on him being available anytime soon.
Aug 25, 2026 10:14 AM EST
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