Monday was report day for the Houston Texans, and C.J. Stroud’s presence was enhanced by one key encouraging development.
That is fourth-year wide receiver Tank Dell, Stroud’s friend and one of his most-trusted targets before suffering a leg injury in Week 16 of the 2024 season that cost him all of the 2025 campaign, being on hand for Day 1.
Dell is expected to return in 2026, and he is already off to a promising start.
C.J. Stroud, Tank Dell Turn Heads as Texans Report for Offseason Program
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans throws a pass against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
The Texans highlighted several players as they entered the team’s facilities for the first day of the offseason program, including Stroud.
“Back in business [briefcase emoji],” the Texans posted on X on April 20.
Stroud is coming off a polarizing end to the 2025 season, which he capped with a multi-turnover performance against the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. He has vowed to come back better and has inspired confidence from Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans.
“C.J. … shows up here, he’s looking like he’s in great shape. That mindset, he’s revved up. He’s ready to go. So, it all starts with what’s your mindset, how you’re attacking the offseason. C.J. is going to attack it the right way. So, I’m excited to see him just continue to work, continue to grow as a player, grow as a leader, and he’s eager to do that,” Ryans told reporters on April 20.
“It’ll be an exciting offseason for him just to be here putting in the work–continuing to put in the work, because he’s been working, right, after the season. He’s been dedicating himself to working, doing things the right way. So, when you see a young man working the way he’s working, I know what that looks like on the other side, and it’s only positive things that can come from that.”
Ryans has been unwavering in his support for Stroud, who entered the league as the second overall pick the same year the Texans hired the head coach.
Stroud has also led the Texans to three straight postseason trips.
The key is overcoming what Stroud considers to be uncharacteristic errors, and he should improve simply by having a year of experience in second-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s scheme.
Getting Dell back will help Stroud to that end, assuming the Texans’ playmaker is close to the player he was before his injury.
Tank Dell Still on Personalized Timeline
GettyTank Dell #3 of the Houston Texans warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions.
As for Dell, Ryans is eager to get him back in the mix with Stround and the Texans’ offense, too, but he is not going to force the previously explosive wideout back into action before he is ready.
Ryans said Dell “has been around, working out all throughout the offseason.”
“While no one else was here, Tank has been here working, grinding in the background. So, I’m excited to see Tank when it is his time to get back out and play football, as everybody here–we all love Tank. We’ve seen the ability that he has, the big playmaking ability, and nobody loves Tank more than me,” Ryans said, saying he remains. “hopeful that we can get him back to playing, back to the level that he was playing.”
“We know how devastating of an injury that was for Tank. So, I’m proud of the young man for him just working in the background, working in silence to be back here, working out with the guys and having that opportunity to go play again.”
Ryans said the Texans have to protect Dell from himself, praising the staff’s job so far.
“With Tank, he has outstanding energy. Always big, bright smile. So, he’s always eager to go. You always have to kind of pull him back when he needs to be pulled back. But our team has done a great job,” Ryans said. “They’ve done a great job of individualizing a plan for each player, and Tank’s no different.
“Our team does a great job of just remaining consistent and understanding the big picture, right? Everybody’s excited.
The good news is they still have plenty of time before the season, with Ryans noting, “We don’t play football today. So, there is a process. There is a long-range view that we’re working to get Tank back to playing football.”
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