Tank Dell makes his return this Sunday after 22 months. Credit: Sean Pendergast
In an announcement that, at one time, felt like it may never come ever again, Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans informed the media on Monday afternoon that wide receiver Tank Dell would be making his return from a December 2024 catastrophic knee injury this Sunday in the Texans’ Week 7 home game against the New York Giants.
Dell had returned from injured reserve earlier this month, with the team opening his 21-day practice window, which is allowed under the “return to play” rules for players on injured reserve. Under the practice window rules, the team has three weeks to allow a player to practice and then determine whether to bring the player back for games or put him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
In late December 2024, Dell suffered a traumatic knee injury, when teammate Jared Wayne collided with his left knee, tearing his ACL, MCL, and PCL, and dislocating the kneecap. Since then, Dell has rehabbed diligently under team supervision, and returned to training camp this summer, after missing all of 2025 on IR. Dell returned briefly to team drills at camp, before a setback in late August.
Dell began this seaosn on IR, but returned to practice prior to the Week 5 win over Tennessee. He was limited in Week 5, but was a full participant in Week 6, and now will be activated. Make no mistake, Dell getting this far in his rehab is a major win, as others who’ve suffered similar injury have never played again. Here are a few other thoughts on this most recent development:
I have one request — include Tank in the starting lineup
Tank’s return from this injury is something that should be celebrated, something into which both Tank and fans themselves can immerse themselves, and experience the collective joy of his comeback. Thus, my one request to the Texans is that (a) the starters on the offensive side of the ball are introduced player by player, and (b) Tank Dell is listed as one of the starters. In short, I need a standing ovation for Tank Dell on Sunday. I would even settle for Tank being chose to walk out to midfield for the coin toss. I need Tank acknowledged.
How much Tank do we see?
DeMeco Ryans is clearly trying to not make this return of Tank a bigger deal than it already is. When he was asked about expectations for Tank Dell, Ryans just said matter of factly that he expects Tank to be himself, and just execute what they ask him to do. In his debut as a Texan this past weekend, Marvin Harrison, Jr. received 12 snaps on offense. I would expect that number to be the ceiling for Dell, considering how cautious they’ve been in bringing him back. A successful return for Dell would be a catch or two, a carry on an end around, and most importantly, no soreness after the game.
What is subsequent the roster move?
Tank’s return to the 53-man roster means the end of the road for somebody else already on the roster. I doubt the Texans cut any of the five receivers already on the roster — Nico Collins, Marvin Harrison, Jaylin Noel, Kayshon Boutte, and Xavier Hutchinson. None of those names comes across as someone the team wants to allow to leave. I think they’ll carry six receivers once Dell returns. If they choose to whittle down the five man tight end room, I could see them moving on from Brevin Jordan, although he has value on special teams. Most likely, the Texans drop tackle Nathan Thomas, who has yet to be active on game day this season, and is the 11th offensive lineman on the 53-man roster right now.