Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans addressed a variety of topics during his time at the annual meeting in Arizona, including sharing an update on wide receiver Tank Dellâs ongoing recovery from a devastating knee injury.
It cost the former Houston Cougars standout and 2023 third-round draft pick the entire 2025 campaign.
The Texans remain optimistic about his return, but the when remains uncertain.
Tank Dell Not Expected Back for Texans OTAs
GettyTank Dell #3 of the Houston Texans is seen on the field before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.
Dell suffered his most recent injury in Week 16 of the 2024 season, a Texans loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He has posted some videos of his recovery journey, getting words of encouragement from fans along the way.
He has been âgrindingâ and maintaining a âgreat attitude,â per Ryans.
However, Dell is unlikely to return to the field in an official capacity by the time the Texans reconvene in the spring.
âDonât know if OTAâs heâll be there, but I know heâll be back for us at some point this year,â Ryans said, per KPRC 2âs Aaron Wilson on March 31. âAs I told Tank, itâs not a matter of getting back to OTAs just to get back, itâs just a matter of getting back in a really good spot physically to where you stay there. Thatâs the main thing. Itâs not about how quickly he returns. Itâs just about Tank returning because we saw what Tank can do, the playmaking that he provides to our entire team. Just getting him back, whenever that time is, itâs going to lift our team.â
Dell, who turns 27 in October, has 98 receptions for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in two seasons on the field. He has played in 25 of a possible 51 games since entering the league, starting 18 of those contests.
The Texans are notably 14-11 when Dell has played.
Nick Caserio Admits âSlow-Moving Targetâ for Tank Dell
GettyTank Dell #3 of the Houston Texans looks on from the sideline during a game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Houston Cougars.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio said in February that he hoped to see a âbig stepâ from Dell in April, but Ryansâ comments suggest it could be into June before the receiver returns.
To that end, Caserio made it clear Dell has an extended runway.
âThe good thing about Tank, heâs been with us from the beginning,â Caserio said on âClancy & Pendergastâ in February. âItâll be, probably, a slow-moving target. But you do have some patience, because we have a lot of data on our system, which we can utilize.â
The Texansâ passing game ranked 14th in 2025, a step up from their 2024 mark but still behind their top-10 finish during Dellâs rookie season.
Dell could add explosiveness to the Texansâ offense. That is, if he returns to pre-injury form.
Houston Can Bring Tank Dell Along Slowly
GettyTank Dell #3 of the Houston Texans looks on against the Chicago Bears.
Dellâs health looms large for the Texans, but their wide receiver room is not bereft of options amid his uncertain return timeline.
Nico Collins leads the group, with Dellâs fellow recent draft picks Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, and Xavier Hutchinson, and veteran Justin Watson on hand behind him. The Texans also have former undrafted free agents Jared Wayne and Josh Kelly under contract for 2026.
That depth affords the Texans more patience with Dell.
However, it remains to be seen if Dellâs progress is enough to keep wide receivers off the Texansâ draft board.
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