Tank Dell Injury Update, Latest Texans WR's Timeline to Return After 2024 Injury and Fantasy Outlook

Tank Dell is back.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans announced Monday that the veteran wide receiver will return to the field for Sunday's matchup against the New York Giants, his first game action since Dec. 2024 after suffering a severe knee injury. He missed the entirety of the 2025 season and started the 2026 campaign on injured reserve.

"I just expect Tank to be himself, no huge expectations, all just excited to see him out there for first time in over two years," Ryans told reporters. "Thankful, grateful to him. I don't have any expectations, just happy to see him out there. We all know Tank is an explosive player, still quick as ever, ask our defenders covering him past two weeks. I expect him to really stress defenders."

Dell, 26, was once thought of as a burgeoning star at wideout next to Nico Collins, catching 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in just 11 games as a rookie during the 2023 season. A year later, he posted 51 catches for 667 yards and three scores before suffering the knee injury.

His return will be welcomed, especially for a Texans team that had huge question marks at wide receiver to start the season.

Jayden Higgins tore his ACL during joint practices over the summer, ending his season. Dell was placed on IR. Nico Collins missed two games in September with hamstring issues.

But Collins is healthy, Dell is back and the team landed Marvin Harrison Jr. in a recent trade. That trio, alongside Jaylin Noel and Xavier Hutchinson, gives C.J. Stroud a nice suite of weapons.

The Texans are hoping to salvage their season after a rough 0-4 start and are currently riding a two-game winning streak. They'll host the New York Giants in Week 7 before going on their bye.