The Houston Texans are on the verge of training camp, and there has already been an encouraging development for wide receiver Tank Dell.
Dell missed all of last season recovering from a significant leg injury, the second of his career, and the Texans took a cautious approach with him during the offseason program, hoping to ensure that he is fully healthy before returning to a full workload.
Pending an update from head coach DeMeco Ryans, Dell is trending in the right direction.
Texans’ Tank Dell Gets Good News Amid Roster Shuffle
Dell, a third-round pick in the 2023 draft, was a favorite target of quarterback C.J. Stroud before his injury. Despite the Texans taking a slow approach, Dell has shown several videos of himself working back.
The Texans offered an encouraging sign that Dell is indeed closer to returning than ever.
“The Houston Texans have placed the following player on the Non-Football Injury list: Jaylin Noel,” ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime reported in a post on X on July 28. “They also have placed the following players on the Physically Unable to Perform list: LB E.J. Speed, S M.J. Stewart.”
Bien-Aime added, “No WR Tank Dell. Major development in his return,” underscoring the significance of the Texans’ inaction.
Dell is at 98 receptions, 1,376 yards, and 10 touchdowns in his Texans career so far.
He is also in the final year of his rookie contract. That adds another significant layer to Dell’s situation with the Texans, who certainly missed his dynamic presence on the football field last season.
The reactions to the news on Dell speak volumes about how big a deal his not landing on an injured list is.
“The #Texans released their list of PUP players and speedy WR Tank Dell is not on it,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posted on X on July 28. “After missing last year with a significant knee injury, this is excellent news.”
Dell tore multiple ligaments and dislocated his kneecap in his most recent injury.
Houston Stressans’ Garrett Williams said, “GREAT news on Tank Dell [exclamation point emojis” in a post on X.
Jaylin Noel a Surprising Injury List Addition
Dell’s good news was undercut somewhat by the news on Noel, a third-round pick from the 2025 draft. Williams also noted that neither Speed nor Stewart’s designations are surprises, with both recovering from offseason surgery.
However, Williams posted, “Oh No(el). Hopefully it’s nothing significant [hands together/praying emoji]” in reaction to the news.
Noel is expected to take on a larger role this year.
Moreover, while Dell was not placed on an injured list just yet, the Texans could still take a cautious approach with him in training camp and during the preseason. That is much easier to do if the rest of the WR room is healthy.
It is a group that has injury concerns with multiple players, including two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins. Notably, Noel can come off the NFI list at any time.
The Texans surely hope he and Dell return in full in short order, or at least before camp ends.
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