While the Houston Texans aren’t placing wide receiver Tank Dell on the PUP list to begin training camp, that doesn’t mean he’ll be cleared for all drills entering the second day of practice.
Dell, who missed all of last season after suffering tears in his ACL, MCL, PCL, and meniscus, did not appear on the medical watch to begin the season. However, general manager Nick Caserio made it clear that while the former third-round pick wasn’t going to be missing a majority of snaps, he also wasn’t going to be full-go at Wednesday’s practice.
“Tank’s worked really hard to put himself in this position. I’d say he still has some work to do,” Caserio said Wednesday. “So, you’re not going to see him practice. Like, he won’t be on a practice field. He still has some things that he’s going to go through.”
Any player placed on the PUP list cannot practice in any capacity, which is why defensive back M.J. Stewart and linebacker E.J. Speed made the cut. Neither player is ready to return to full speed, so missing several weeks isn’t that far-fetched of an idea.
But Dell can participate in several drills. He was spotted with his helmet on during warm-ups and worked out individual drills with the rest of the receivers before moving inside. If placed on the injured reserve, that wouldn’t be a possibility.
“You won’t see him practice. You’re going to watch practice and wonder where Tank is… Well, it’s by design,” Caserio said. “So he’s got some ramp-up work that he’s still going to do, but there are some other things that we can do with him to kind of incorporate him into some team/crossover/walkthrough situations.”
Over his two active seasons with the Texans, Dell has caught 98 passes for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Texans will return to the practice fields on Thursday morning.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans WR Tank Dell still ‘has some things to go through’ before return, per GM Nick Caserio
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cole Thompson, Texans Wire | USA TODAY Network
