Tank

Dell

NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson provided us with our last update Dell’s recovery processes back in mid-February, when Dell’s ACL reconstruction was reportedly pending after successful LCL and MCL operations. Per Alexander, Dell underwent ACL reconstruction in early March, beginning the countdown for a potential return in 12 months or less. Returning to play sometime in Spring 2026 would allow Dell to rejoin the team in time for all offseason workouts and organized team activities and, hopefully, set him up for a bounce-back season later that year.

The Texans’ wide receiver group is murky beyond star No. 1 wide receiver Nico Collins. Stefon Diggs departed via free agency, and Tank Dell’s expected return date remains unknown following his 2024 knee dislocation and multi-ligament tear. The team initially addressed the effective losses of their Nos. 2 and 3 wide receivers by trading for former Jaguars slot receiver Christian Kirk and signing both Justin Watson and Braxton Berrios, who is recovering from an ACL tear of his own. Kirk is currently penciled in as the second-most fantasy-relevant player in the group, but the Texans’ reported intent to draft multiple wide receivers this year could reduce Kirk’s fantasy potential. While Collins remains a safe bet to return WR1 value, Kirk’s weekly WR4/flex performances could become slightly more volatile due to increased target competition.

DeMeco Ryans recently told reporters that Dell is “on the right track” in his recovery from a season-ending knee injury. We now know the specifics that prompted Ryans’ comment; two of the three injured ligaments have been successfully repaired. Whether Dell returns in time to take snaps in 2025 remains unknown but these are tangible, positive developments for the young receiver.

We’re still early in Dell’s recovery. The star receiver suffered a brutal injury in Week 16 when he tore his ACL, MCL, and LCL. We’re a long way from knowing whether or not Dell will be able to play in 2025, but with other knee surgeries on the horizon, we’re a long way from him resuming football activities in any capacity.

It sounds likely that the Texans will be on the lookout for some supplemental help at receiver with Stefon Diggs (torn ACL) a free agent and only John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson on contracts behind Nico Collins. C.J. Stroud campaigned for the team to keep Diggs. The truth of the matter is that the Texans are going to need at least one more major receiver addition ahead of the 2025 season if they can’t count on Dell to play at all this season. By not putting a timeline on it, what they are saying is that they hope to be happily surprised.

Dell suffered a brutal knee injury in the Texans’ Week 16 loss to the Chiefs. The second-year receiver not only dislocated his knee but also suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and LCL while damaging his meniscus. He faces a long road to recovery, and there’s been no official timeline given for his 2025 return, but with more surgeries still scheduled, it could be a while before Dell gets back on a football field in any capacity.

Aaron Wilson adds that he also tore the MCL, LCL, and has meniscus damage. Obviously, he will not be playing again this year. The question at this point is 2025. Dell isn’t a sure bet to return given how serious the injury looked, and if he does return, like this year, he probably shouldn’t be trusted as fully healthy. It’s a devastating injury for the Texans purposes, one that probably ends with them having to find a new WR2 behind Nico Collins with Stefon Diggs also slated for free agency off his own ACL tear.

Absolutely devastating news for a talented wide receiver coming off a lost rookie season due to a horrible ankle injury. Dell will remain hospitalized overnight for evaluation following the gruesome injury suffered on a touchdown catch in the second half of the team’s Week 16 loss to the Chiefs. He now faces yet another uphill battle to rehab from a major injury, the most recent of which is likely to extend into the 2025 season.

He was carted off on a stretcher by ambulance after a scene that took several commercial breaks to unfold. Several Texans players had tears in their eyes. Dell finished with a 6/98/1 line, he was hurt on a touchdown catch and had finally looked to have regained his form from 2023. This has the look of a devastating injury that could linger well into the 2025 calendar year if not longer. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said after the game that Dell will stay overnight in a Kansas City hospital and called it a “significant knee injury.”

He also had a 15-yard rush. This offense just isn’t good enough to handle supporting receivers as things currently stand. It’s Nico Collins or nothing in the Texans receiver corps. Dell has not scored or topped 100 yards since Halloween. He’s a WR4/FLEX at best.