The Houston Texans were never whole in 2025. Wide receiver Tank Dell is a noteworthy part of that discussion for the Texans, and he is making sure it stays that way.
Dell, 26, suffered a severe knee injury during the 2024 regular season.
One of C.J. Stroud’s best friends on the team and a favorite target on the team, Dell’s absence stood out, as the Texans adjusted to first-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s scheme. Without him, the Texans struggled to consistently threaten teams deep or with explosive plays.
Texans’ Tank Dell Sends Message After Update
“I Gotta prove myself again,” Dell posted on X on January 21, noting that he has “been here before” and that “it’s nothing new. Write back soon [heart emoji].”
The Texans selected Dell with the 69th overall pick of the 2023 draft. He caught 47 passes for 709 yards and 7 touchdowns as a rookie, and he followed it with a 51-667-3 line before his injury last season.
Like teammate and Texans running back Joe Mixon , Dell was never close to playing in 2025.
However, Caserio’s assertion aligns with previous reports about Dell’s remarkable progress from the injury he suffered in a Week 16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2024 campaign.
In addition to Dell for the entire season, the Texans missed top option Nico Collins, veteran offseason trade pickup and slot threat Christian Kirk , and another veteran addition in Justin Watson at various points for differing lengths of time.
Dell’s message comes on the heels of comments from Texans general manager Nick Caserio .
“Tank’s doing awesome. He’s been in the building every day. Matter of fact, he’s here today. He’s got a great attitude. We would anticipate him being ready for the start of the offseason program. So, he’s in great spirits, got a great attitude, good player,” Caserio told reporters on January 21.
“I’m sure he’s excited. He can’t wait to get started. Saw him yesterday, and he had a big smile on his face, basically like, ‘All right. Now, it’s time.’ Now, because we’re focused on 2026.”
Nick Caserio Delivers Reality Check on Tank Dell
However, Caserio could offer no guarantees that Dell would be the same player after his injury, which led to questions about the wideout’s future with the Texans.
“It’s a good question. TBD. He’s worked very hard. I think our performance group, they do a really good job, and I think the players feel that. So, we have the resources available, and each player is a little bit different. So, what’s required for one player might be different for Tank and his situation. But I would anticipate him being available for the offseason,” Caserio said.
“Really April, May, and June , you probably have a better idea, once you get on the field, you’d probably have a better visual representation of what that looks like. And then if you clear that hurdle, then training camp is more of like, ‘Okay, what does this actually look like?”
That is key with Dell heading into the final year of his rookie contract.
Caserio left the door open for the Texans to extend Dell like they did with Brevin Jordan , despite the tight end being out for the season.
Tank Dell Eager to Return
Caserio said he expects Dell to push himself once cleared to practice.
“Knowing Tank, Tank’s probably cautiously optimistic that he’s going to be able to go out there and Tank Dell. I think everybody’s hoping that’s the case, but you never know,” Caserio said.
“None of us control injuries and, kind of, what happens, so. But everybody’s rooting for Tank, and he’s worked very hard. He’s had a great attitude. So excited to kind of see him out there moving around. I think nobody’s more excited than he is. So, it’ll be good once we actually start moving and getting on a field, getting on the grass to see what that looks like.”
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