Texans News
Texans fans are frustrated with how their season ended, but some good news could give them hope for 2026. Tank Dell is set to return for the 2026 Season After Year-Long Rehabilitation
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that wide receiver Tank Dell is expected to return to the field for the 2026 season following a devastating knee injury that sidelined him for all of 2025.
Dell suffered a serious injury on December 21, 2024, during a Week 16 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The third-year receiver caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback C.J. Stroud in the third quarter but collided with teammate Jared Wayne in the end zone. Dell dislocated his knee and tore his anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and lateral collateral ligament. He also sustained damage to his meniscus. Medical personnel attended to him on the field for several minutes before he was carted off.
The injury required multiple surgical procedures. Dell underwent initial surgery in January 2025 to repair his LCL and MCL. He had a second operation in March 2025 to reconstruct his ACL. The procedures were performed by Dr. Walter Lowe. The Texans placed Dell on the reserve/physically unable to perform list before the 2025 season began, officially ruling him out for the year.
Ryans told reporters, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Sports, that Dell attempted to return late in the 2025 season for a playoff run, but the timing did not work out. “Tank had such a significant injury,” Ryans said. “He was battling, trying to get back. He was working really hard and trying to get back at the end of this past season. It just didn’t work out that way.” The coach added that he is excited to see Dell back on the field next year.
Dell has remained present at the Texans’ facility throughout his rehabilitation. He appeared on the sideline during home games in 2025, including the season finale against Indianapolis and the wild card playoff game against Los Angeles. Teammates and coaches have praised his attitude during recovery. Ryans described Dell as being in great spirits and making great progress in his rehabilitation during the summer. Wide receiver Nico Collins told reporters in July that Dell’s presence remained important to the team despite his absence from the field.
The Houston product was selected by the Texans in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 69th overall pick. He recorded 709 receiving yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie before suffering a fractured fibula in Week 13 that ended his first season. Dell returned in 2024 and totaled 667 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games before the knee injury. Over two seasons, he has 98 receptions for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in 25 games.
The Texans addressed their receiving corps during Dell’s absence by trading for Christian Kirk from Jacksonville and signing free agents Justin Watson and Braxton Berrios. Houston also selected Iowa State wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the second and third rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. Higgins was taken 34th overall, and Noel went 79th overall.
Dell will enter the final year of his four-year rookie contract in 2026. He is 26 years old and was born on October 29, 1999. The Texans finished the 2025 season with a playoff appearance but were eliminated in the divisional round by New England.
