Do the Houston Texans have an exact timeline for when star receiver Tank Dell will be cleared for contact, thus inching him closer to a return to the gridiron?
No.
Did Thursday’s comments from OTAs provide a glimmer of hope that his time on the mend could be reaching its end?
Probably not.
The Texans’ 2023 third-round pick was seen stretching and working out during the first day of OTAs outside of the bubble at Reliant Stadium. The fourth-year pro has been recovering from a knee injury suffered in the regular-season loss to Kansas City in December of 2024.
When asked if there was a chance Dell could actually practice with the 1s and 2s, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans gave a standard response.
“Tank is still working off on the side,” Ryans said Thursday. “When that time is set for him to be back, he’ll be back out there.”
Coming into his own in 2024, Dell was carted off the field in December of 2024 after hauling in a touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud, tearing multiple ligaments in his left knee while also dislocating his kneecap. Because of the severity of the injury, he missed the entire 2025 season while undergoing multiple surgeries and rehabilitation workouts.
Midway through last season, Dell began to ramp up his workouts. He even tried to make a push for a postseason return after the Texans clinched 12 wins, but the team chose to give him more time to get acclimated to his body and prep for the start of a new season.
Houston would love nothing more than for Dell to be good to go for September, especially as a secondary weapon for Stroud. For now, the offense continues to move forward with him sidelined and younger players looking to expand their roles.
Ryans praised the growth of both Iowa State standouts Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins for their offseason progression as they enter Year 2 under coordinator Nick Caley. They are expected to be factors the passing game outside of Pro Bowler Nico Collins.
“Higgins has done a really great job of taking advantage of the offseason, really coming back in shape,” Ryans sad. “He’s looking bigger, stronger, faster, which is what you expect for a second-year player of his caliber. He’s definitely taking advantage of it. I’m really excited to see what it’s going to look like this season.
“J-Noel’ has done a really great job as well, improving at his craft and how we’re able to move him around different areas. He’s doing a great job as a kick returner and punt returner. We’re emphasizing him on working on getting vertical.”
A third-round pick from 2023, the University of Houston product had 98 catches for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in 25 games.
The Texans return to the practice field later this week for the second stage of OTAs.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Will Texans WR Tank Dell play in 2026? DeMeco Ryans provides update
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
