No timeline for Texans WR Tank Dell’s return

Tank Dell‘s 2024 season came to an abrupt end when he suffered a massive knee injury in Week 16. The Texans wideout still faces a very long road to recovery, and no firm timeline exists for him to return to the field.

“For Tank, I want him to continue to get better, continue to attack each day of the rehab process the right way, like he’s been doing, with a great attitude,” head coach DeMeco Ryans said when speaking to the media on Monday (video link via Aaron Wilson of KPRC2). “There’s nothing to rush. There’s no set timeline that we need him back by this certain day. We need Tank back when Tank is ready to be Tank, and that’s good enough for me.”

Not long after the injury, it became clear Dell would require multiple surgeries to repair the damage (which included ACL, PCL and LCL tears along with a torn meniscus and a dislocated kneecap). As of March, the 25-year-old had undergone a pair of operations, marking a key checkpoint in his rehab process. The possibility still remains, however, that Dell will miss most or even all of the 2025 campaign.

Selected in the third round of the 2023 draft, Dell’s rookie campaign showcased a strong connection between him and quarterback C.J. Stroud. That year also featured a major injury, however, in the form of a broken leg. Missing considerable time during this coming campaign would, of course, hinder the Iowa State product’s value for a potential extension. Dell’s rookie deal runs through 2026.

Houston lost Stefon Diggs in free agency, although the team pulled off an intra-division trade to acquire Christian Kirk. The Texans’ receiver corps will continue to be led by Nico Collins moving forward, but the Texans also have John Metchie and Justin Watson in the fold, along with rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Both members of that Iowa State tandem will look to carve out roles during training camp. As that takes place, Dell will continue rehabbing without a hard target for when to return to action.