Tank Dell Fantasy Stats

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) will open the season on injured reserve. While that takes him off the immediate fantasy radar, it actually gives him specific appeal as a player to target on the waiver wire. Many fantasy leagues designate one or two roster spots specifically for players on injured reserve, for which Dell would be eligible. As a result, managers who are on the fence about stashing the Texans' wideout can now add him without occupying a normal roster spot. Dell is working his way back from a brutal knee injury that he suffered more than 18 months ago. It has been a long recovery process, and he's still not quite ready to get back on the field. However, he's worth stashing for once he's healthy enough to play again. He'll presumably be in the mix for the No. 2 receiver role alongside Nico Collins, especially after Jayden Higgins (knee) was placed on season-ending IR.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee), who is opening the 2026 season on Injured Reserve, renegotiated the final year of his contract and is due $1.704 million, including a $500,000 signing bonus, $1 million total guaranteed, a salary-cap figure of $1.988 million, and a $1.145 million salary, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Dell was previously due $3.624 million in the final year of his rookie deal with a $3.967 million salary-cap figure. The 26-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 from the University of Houston tore multiple ligaments in his knee in a devastating injury in 2024 and was unable to return at all last year. Dell was slowly being ramped up in training camp this summer, but now that he's on IR, he will not be eligible to make his 2026 season debut until at least Week 5. Even though fellow wideout Jayden Higgins (knee) is out for the year, Dell remains a question mark this year as far as what his role will be when he is cleared to return. The addition of Kayshon Boutte via trade from the New England Patriots will not help Dell's case for fantasy relevance later this year. For now, Nico Collins, Boutte, and Jaylin Noel will be quarterback C.J. Stroud's top three receivers.

After a 20-month recovery from the gruesome knee injury that ended his 2024 season, Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell was placed on Injured Reserve with a designation to return to begin the 2026 season. On Tuesday, Texans general manager Nick Caserio provided an update, telling reporters, "He's close; he's not quite there. He's closer than he was during training camp." Dell will miss at least the first four games of the season, but can be activated as early as Week 5, ahead of a divisional clash with the Titans. A third-round pick in 2023, Dell demonstrated an immediate connection with quarterback C.J. Stroud to begin his career, but after a prolonged absence, it is fair to question what his role might look like upon his long-awaited return. The 26-year-old is RotoBaller's WR125 and worthy of final-round consideration in leagues with an IR slot.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) has been placed on injured reserve to open the regular season, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Dell is working his way back from a complicated knee injury, including a torn ACL, torn MCL, torn LCL, and a dislocated kneecap. He suffered the injury 18+ months ago, but due to the severity of the injury and the lengthy recovery process, he's still not ready to play. The first bit of good news is that he'll be eligible to return after Week 4, so we should expect to see him back on the field at some point this season. The other good news is that he has been involved in some team drills, so he's getting closer to reintegrating into practice. The Texans would love to get Dell back as soon as possible; they recently lost Jayden Higgins (knee) to season-ending IR, leaving Jaylin Noel and Kayshon Boutte in competition to start opposite Nico Collins.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) may still be a long way from making his return. John McClain wrote that Houston should have a full-speed Dell next season, "hopefully sooner," while adding that he is nowhere near ready to play right now. That's a sobering update after Dell returned to team drills earlier this month and generated some optimism about a 2026 comeback. The 26-year-old suffered a devastating left knee injury in December 2024, dislocating the knee while tearing his ACL, MCL and LCL and damaging his meniscus. He required multiple surgeries and missed the entire 2025 season. Dell had 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games before going down. McClain's wording leaves open the possibility of Dell playing at some point this season, but fantasy managers should not be counting on him being available anytime soon.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) still does not have a clear preseason game plan as he works back from the serious knee injury that cost him the entire 2025 season. Asked Monday whether Dell will play in an exhibition game, head coach DeMeco Ryans said the receiver is on "his own plan," according to Aaron Wilson. "Whatever that entails, geared toward what's best for Tank Dell," Ryans added. Dell has made progress in camp, including taking team-drill reps for the first time on August 10 and catching a pass from Davis Mills during that session. Houston has been careful with his workload throughout the process, and Ryans' latest comments make it clear the team is not setting a preseason deadline for him. Dell suffered a dislocated left kneecap, torn ACL and additional damage in December 2024. For now, getting him ready at the right pace matters more than forcing him into an exhibition game.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) was not practicing Sunday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Wilson did not report a new setback or give a reason for the absence. Dell is still being eased back after missing the entire 2025 season because of the serious left knee injury he suffered in December 2024. His workload has picked up recently. Dell returned to padded practice on August 5 and got his first 11-on-11 reps five days later, even catching a pass during team work. He was back out there Saturday as well, though only for a few routes in team drills and was not targeted. Houston has been cautious throughout the process, with head coach DeMeco Ryans repeatedly saying the team will let Dell progress at his own pace. Sunday's absence is worth noting, especially this deep into his comeback, but there is nothing in Wilson's report suggesting Dell suffered another injury. His practice participation remains something fantasy managers will have to watch closely.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell is drawing encouraging reviews as he continues his return from the serious knee injury that cost him the entire 2025 season. Rookie Watch reports that Dell has looked especially explosive in camp and more fluid running routes than he did before the injury. Dell returned to padded practice last week and has been able to run routes at full speed during individual drills, although Houston has not yet moved him into regular team work. The 26-year-old last played in 2024, when he caught 51 passes for 667 yards and three touchdowns across 14 games. Getting back on the field at all is a significant step after Dell underwent multiple surgeries following his December 2024 knee injury. The early reports on his movement are promising, but progressing into one-on-one and 11-on-11 work will provide a much better test of where Dell stands in his comeback. UPDATE: Dell was involved in team drills at training camp practice on Monday.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is expected to be eased in during this training camp and season, despite looking strong in drills. Head coach DeMeco Ryans was excited about Dell's return to the field, saying, "You want to see that comeback story. Tank (Dell) looks real nice out there. We're taking our time with Tank, allowing him to come along. Outstanding job, nice crisp in routes. It's exciting." Dell suffered a significant knee/leg injury, including torn ACL, MCL, and LCL, a patellar tendon injury, and a vascular injury that required emergency surgery. This comeback is nothing short of legendary, as Dell hopes to regain his previous form, in which he averaged over 55 receiving yards per game and scored 10 touchdowns in 25 games. While the risk is evident when drafting Dell, the upside remains for him to be a late-round sleeper.

The Houston Texans will practice in pads for the third straight day on Wednesday, and wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is expected to take part without obvious limitation. Dell suffered a career-threatening knee injury in December 2024 that would cost him the entirety of the 2025 season. After undergoing multiple surgeries, Wednesday's practice marks his first time donning pads in an NFL setting since the injury. The 2023 third-round pick developed a clear connection with quarterback C.J. Stroud, catching 98 passes for 1,376 yards and 10 scores across his first two seasons, and he will look to pick up where he left off in a receiver room still populated by two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins along with second-year players Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Dell's place in the pecking order remains unclear, but as one of the easiest players to root for in 2026, he could play his way back into fantasy viability as RotoBaller's WR75.