Tank Dell

Houston Texans
Wide Receiver #3
FANTASY NEWS STATS INJURY

Tank Dell News RotoBaller

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

Tank Dell on 'His Own Plan,' Preseason Status Remains Uncertain

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) still does not have a clear preseason game plan as he works back from the serious knee injury that cost him the entire 2025 season. Asked Monday whether Dell will play in an exhibition game, head coach DeMeco Ryans said the receiver is on "his own plan," according to Aaron Wilson. "Whatever that entails, geared toward what's best for Tank Dell," Ryans added. Dell has made progress in camp, including taking team-drill reps for the first time on August 10 and catching a pass from Davis Mills during that session. Houston has been careful with his workload throughout the process, and Ryans' latest comments make it clear the team is not setting a preseason deadline for him. Dell suffered a dislocated left kneecap, torn ACL and additional damage in December 2024. For now, getting him ready at the right pace matters more than forcing him into an exhibition game.

Aug 17, 2026 11:39 AM EST

Tank Dell Not Practicing Sunday

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) was not practicing Sunday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Wilson did not report a new setback or give a reason for the absence. Dell is still being eased back after missing the entire 2025 season because of the serious left knee injury he suffered in December 2024. His workload has picked up recently. Dell returned to padded practice on August 5 and got his first 11-on-11 reps five days later, even catching a pass during team work. He was back out there Saturday as well, though only for a few routes in team drills and was not targeted. Houston has been cautious throughout the process, with head coach DeMeco Ryans repeatedly saying the team will let Dell progress at his own pace. Sunday's absence is worth noting, especially this deep into his comeback, but there is nothing in Wilson's report suggesting Dell suffered another injury. His practice participation remains something fantasy managers will have to watch closely.

Aug 16, 2026 10:36 AM EST

Tank Dell Drawing Positive Reviews During Comeback

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell is drawing encouraging reviews as he continues his return from the serious knee injury that cost him the entire 2025 season. Rookie Watch reports that Dell has looked especially explosive in camp and more fluid running routes than he did before the injury. Dell returned to padded practice last week and has been able to run routes at full speed during individual drills, although Houston has not yet moved him into regular team work. The 26-year-old last played in 2024, when he caught 51 passes for 667 yards and three touchdowns across 14 games. Getting back on the field at all is a significant step after Dell underwent multiple surgeries following his December 2024 knee injury. The early reports on his movement are promising, but progressing into one-on-one and 11-on-11 work will provide a much better test of where Dell stands in his comeback.

Aug 10, 2026 9:51 AM EST

Texans Taking their Time with Tank Dell

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is expected to be eased in during this training camp and season, despite looking strong in drills. Head coach DeMeco Ryans was excited about Dell's return to the field, saying, "You want to see that comeback story. Tank (Dell) looks real nice out there. We're taking our time with Tank, allowing him to come along. Outstanding job, nice crisp in routes. It's exciting." Dell suffered a significant knee/leg injury, including torn ACL, MCL, and LCL, a patellar tendon injury, and a vascular injury that required emergency surgery. This comeback is nothing short of legendary, as Dell hopes to regain his previous form, in which he averaged over 55 receiving yards per game and scored 10 touchdowns in 25 games. While the risk is evident when drafting Dell, the upside remains for him to be a late-round sleeper.

Aug 7, 2026 9:18 AM EST

Tank Dell Practicing in Pads

The Houston Texans will practice in pads for the third straight day on Wednesday, and wide receiver Tank Dell is expected to take part without limitation. Dell suffered a career-threatening knee injury in December 2024 that would cost him the entirety of the 2025 season. After undergoing multiple surgeries, Wednesday's practice marks his first time donning pads in an NFL setting since the injury. The 2023 third-round pick developed a clear connection with quarterback C.J. Stroud, catching 98 passes for 1,376 yards and ten scores across his first two seasons, and he will look to pick up where he left off in a receiver room still populated by two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins along with second-year players Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Dell's place in the pecking order remains unclear, but as one of the easiest players to root for in 2026, he could play his way back into fantasy viability as RotoBaller's WR75.

Aug 5, 2026 7:24 AM EST

Tank Dell Will Be Limited to Open Training Camp

After last playing on an NFL field in Week 16 of the 2024 season, Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell avoided the PUP list to begin training camp, but Texans beat writer Aaron Wilson reports that he will be kept out of full-team work to open camp. Dell has been medically cleared for all football activity, but the team will take it slow as he continues to work back from a gruesome injury that consisted of multiple torn ligaments, meniscus damage, and a dislocated kneecap. Through his first two seasons in the league, Dell had established an obvious chemistry with quarterback C.J. Stroud, totaling 98 receptions for 1,376 yards and ten touchdowns across 25 games and regularly earning the praise of the signal-caller with whom he came into the league as part of the Texans' 2023 draft class. Dell still has a long way to go before he can again be trusted as a reliable fantasy contributor, but at RotoBaller's WR75, he's a player to consider in the closing rounds of 2026 drafts and one whose progress should be monitored closely throughout training camp.

Jul 29, 2026 6:25 AM EST

Tank Dell Cleared to Take Part in Training Camp

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) avoided the Physically Unable to Perform list and has been cleared to participate in training camp, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. It's a notable development for Dell, who tore his ACL, LCL, and MCL and dislocated his knee and sustained meniscus damage in 2024, which required multiple surgeries and caused him to miss the entire 2025 campaign. The 26-year-old could still very well be limited in camp practices early on, but it confirms what the Texans have been saying in the offseason: that Dell will help them in 2026. The former third-round pick in 2023 will be a wild card for Houston's offense this year, and it remains to be seen if he can recapture his pre-injury form as a dangerous deep threat. In his first two seasons (25 games played), Dell caught 98 of his 156 yards for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns. Dell is currently ranked as RotoBaller's No. 75 fantasy WR for 2026, but his stock could rise if he looks good in camp and the preseason. If/when he's back to full health for the regular season, Dell will be battling for a role alongside WR1 Nico Collins and second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel (undisclosed). At best, Dell will probably be the Texans' WR3.

Jul 28, 2026 4:17 PM EST

Tank Dell a Giant Question Mark Coming Off Major Knee Injury

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) had a promising rookie season in 2023 after he was taken with the 69th overall pick in the third round out of the University of Houston, catching 47 of his 75 targets for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in just 11 regular-season games. It all came crashing down in 2024 when the 26-year-old tore multiple ligaments in his knee and dislocated his kneecap. He missed all of last year as a result and still isn't full-go with training camp right around the corner, making his availability for the start of the 2026 season in early September still a mystery. Nico Collins is Houston's unquestioned alpha WR1, and second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are both expected to have bigger roles in the passing attack. So once Dell gets back up to speed, whenever that is, he figures to be competing for targets as the WR3 or WR4 in an offense that hasn't been nearly as good as it was the last two seasons as it was in QB C.J. Stroud's rookie season. The Texans are expecting Dell to contribute in 2026, but because he might merely be trying to work back into form for most of the year, it's hard to recommend him as a 12-team redraft stash. RotoBaller has Dell currently ranked as the No. 75 WR.

Jul 22, 2026 8:03 PM EST

Should Dynasty Managers Be Looking to Buy Low on Tank Dell?

Thanks to a gruesome knee injury that ended his 2024 campaign in Week 16, Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) missed the entire 2025 season. Dell has yet to be fully cleared from the injury, but he's expected to contribute to the Texans at some point in 2026. The 26-year-old has been a productive player when healthy for Houston, averaging 67 catches for 936 yards and seven touchdowns on 106 targets per 17 games played. Still, he may now be facing an uphill battle for targets even once healthy, as Houston has a pair of promising young wideouts in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to go with superstar WR1 Nico Collins. Dell's stock in both redraft and dynasty leagues has obviously fallen considerably from his peak value. Still, it's difficult to buy into Dell at any real cost until he proves he can make it back to full health.

Jul 7, 2026 10:40 AM EST

Tank Dell's Outlook "Becoming More Positive"

The Houston Texans are still easing wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) in during offseason workouts, but KPRC2 Sports' Aaron Wilson says that Dell's outlook is "becoming more positive," and he plans to increase his practice activity at training camp this summer. Dell has been running and cutting without any setbacks, although he isn't as dynamic as he was before he dislocated his knee and tore his ACL, MCL, and LCL two years ago. There is still a long way to go for the former University of Houston star, but he has already made significant progress. "Looking for him to be Tank," WRs coach and passing-game coordinator Ben McDaniels said. "He's been working really hard to get back to what he knows he is and can be. It's been a long process, and he's still at it." The 26-year-old broke his leg in his rookie season and was also shot in the leg that same offseason, so he has endured no shortage of adversity. The Texans are taking a patient, big-picture approach with the speedster, but they do plan on him being an asset in 2026. At least early on, Dell will probably be facing an uphill battle for consistent targets in a WR corps that already features WR1 Nico Collins and emerging second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.

Jun 12, 2026 10:30 AM EST

Tank Dell Back on the Field at OTAs This Week

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) was seen back on the field in team drills during OTAs on Thursday for the first time since tearing multiple ligaments in his knee back in Week 16 of the 2024 season. The 26-year-old did not play at all last year for the Texans while rehabbing, but barring a setback in training camp this summer, Dell could have a great shot to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September. He will most likely be limited in mandatory minicamp workouts later this month, but it's definitely good to see Dell running around on the football field again. The Texans took him with the 69th overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft out of the University of Houston, and he caught 98 of his 156 targets for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023 and 2024. Houston is confident that Dell will have a role in his return to action in 2026, but how much of a role he'll have is a big question mark. Dell will be trying to challenge second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel for playing time behind WR1 Nico Collins, and he'll likely go undrafted in most 12-team formats. RotoBaller has Dell ranked as the WR78 currently for the upcoming season.

Jun 4, 2026 1:41 PM EST

Is Tank Dell a Player to Target in Dynasty Leagues?

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell continues to recover from the devastating knee injury that ended his 2024 sophomore campaign and cost him the entirety of the 2025 season, and while he is present at the team's organized team activities, he is not yet participating. The gruesome nature of the injury that resulted in a dislocated kneecap and multiple torn ligaments has the Texans taking a cautious approach to his recovery and has understandably brought about questions of how Dell will look when he finally returns to action. As a rookie in 2023, he was the fantasy WR38 in half-PPR formats, and before the injury in 2024, he was trending towards another top-45 finish. Now at only 26 years old, he has fallen to RotoBaller's dynasty WR64, and while any manager who has held him to this point is unlikely to sell at that price, Dell is an intriguing upside dart throw in the later rounds of dynasty startups.

May 30, 2026 5:49 AM EST

Tank Dell Not Participating in Texans OTAs

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is in attendance but not participating in his team's OTAs, per DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. Dell missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from the catastrophic knee injury he suffered in December 2024. The 26-year-old has a chance to be ready to go at some point in 2026 for Houston, but his return timeline currently remains uncertain. Across 14 games before getting injured in 2024, Dell recorded 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns on 81 targets. He's flashed significant upside when healthy, but Dell is now attempting to come back from tearing his ACL, MCL, and LCL ligaments while also suffering meniscus damage. His production outlook is very difficult to project, which makes him a risky gamble for fantasy managers heading into 2026.

May 28, 2026 12:32 PM EST

Tank Dell Steadily Regaining Dynasty Value

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell suffered a gruesome knee injury in Week 16 of the 2024 season, which ended his sophomore campaign and caused him to miss all of the 2025 season. After dislocating his knee and tearing multiple ligaments, his recovery has been arduous, but signs now point to his eventual return in 2026. Dell has been participating in the early stages of organized team activities, and there is a belief he could be ready for the start of the season. With the Texans adding Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the 2025 NFL Draft, it's uncertain how the receiver rotation will work out alongside two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins. Dell has taken more than 70% of his professional snaps on the outside, so despite vastly different body types, his most direct competition would appear to be the 6'4", 215-pound Higgins. Dell finished as WR38 as a rookie in 2023, and he's risen back up to WR66 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings after falling as low as WR87 in consensus ranks. That said, with the improved depth of the position since he last took the field, the ceiling could be capped for all Texans pass-catchers outside of Collins.

May 7, 2026 5:14 AM EST

Tank Dell's 2026 Availability Still a Mystery

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) has not played since suffering a brutal knee injury in Week 16 of the 2024 season, and general manager Nick Caserio said that the team expects to have a better read on what he'll be able to do going forward once the Texans are deeper into their offseason program. "With Tank, honestly, it's probably day to day," Caserio said. "We'll see where he is -- probably have a better idea as we get through the spring of what his availability is going to be in training camp. He's been here pretty religiously since he's been able to do more." The 26-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 out of Houston should remain stashed in all dynasty/keeper leagues, but he'll be a total wild card in redraft formats after a devastating knee injury that initially looked like it could end Dell's career. Dell had 98 catches for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in 25 games in his first two NFL seasons, so he could be a difference-maker for this offense behind WR1 Nico Collins if he returns to pre-injury form. However, we're still waiting to see if Dell will even be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season in September.

Apr 14, 2026 9:50 AM EST

Tank Dell Uncertain for OTAs, But Expected to Play in 2026

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said it's unclear if wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) will be ready for organized team activities this spring, but he said he knows "he'll be back for us at some point this year," according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. "As I told Tank, it's not a matter of getting back to OTAs just to get back, it's just a matter of getting back in a really good spot physically to where you stay there. That's the main thing," Ryans said. The 26-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 out of Houston didn't play at all in 2025 after suffering a devastating knee injury in 2024, in which he tore multiple ligaments. Before his knee injury, Dell caught 98 of his 156 targets for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in 25 games (18 starts) in his first two NFL seasons, including seven touchdowns in 11 games in his rookie campaign. His fantasy stock in dynasty/keeper leagues is on the rise, and he could even be worth a late-round dart throw in single-year leagues later this year if his recovery is coming along nicely this summer. If fully healthy, Dell could be competing for the WR2 role in Houston with second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, behind Nico Collins.

Mar 31, 2026 12:31 PM EST

Can Tank Dell Re-Establish His Career Coming Off His Serious Injury?

A third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) recorded 98 receptions for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns on 156 targets across the first 25 games of his career in 2023 and 2024. However, the 26-year-old suffered a gruesome knee injury in Week 16 of the 2024 season, dislocating his left kneecap while also tearing his ACL, MCL, LCL, and suffering meniscus damage. Dell's injury forced him to miss the entire 2025 campaign. Dell should have a chance to return to the field in 2026 and re-establish his career. However, he's now likely firmly behind both Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins on the Texans' wide receiver depth chart, which leaves him battling Jaylin Noel and Xavier Hutchinson for WR3 duties in Houston. Even if Dell can reclaim a prominent role in his team's passing game, the devastating nature of his injury creates obvious question marks around his ability to produce. Dell still carries fantasy upside, but his dynasty profile is riddled with risk.

Mar 26, 2026 6:20 AM EST

Tank Dell's Injury Forcing Him Down the Depth Chart?

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) missed all of the 2025 season as he works his way back from a torn ACL, MCL, LCL, and meniscus. Dell was the overall WR39 with seven touchdowns as a rookie in 2023, and he maintained similar volume with fewer scoring opportunities in 2024. His chance to make a third-year leap was squashed by the injury, and he'll face an uphill battle to take that jump in 2026. Not only could Dell's recovery push him through some adversity and growing pains when he returns to action, but he could also find himself lower down the pecking order. Jayden Higgins had a big rookie campaign in 2025, while Nico Collins continued to establish himself as a top-10 fantasy receiver. If Higgins is essentially the No. 2 receiver in Houston now, that pushes Dell down to No. 3, which will make it tough for him to produce in fantasy football, especially while operating in a C.J. Stroud-led offense. Managers should hold Dell for now. We've seen that the upside is enormous, but he's also quite risky due to his extended injury absence.

Mar 5, 2026 8:11 PM EST

Tank Dell on Schedule to Take Part in Offseason Workouts

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is on schedule to participate in offseason workouts, according to general manager Nick Caserio. "Tank is doing awesome. We would anticipate him being ready for the start of the offseason program," Caserio said. Head coach DeMeco Ryans also said earlier this week that he was excited to see Dell return next season. Dell was on the Physically Unable to Perform list for the entire 2025 season after he tore his ACL, MCL, and LCL in Week 16 of the 2024 season. The 26-year-old needed multiple surgeries to fix his knee, although he appears to be making notable progress and could be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season this fall, depending on how he progresses during the offseason. The Texans are optimistic that Dell will be able to contribute next year, but in what could be a crowded WR room in Houston, fantasy managers should pump the brakes on Dell returning to fantasy relevance immediately.

Jan 21, 2026 12:14 PM EST