Spend a week in Houston and you’ll quickly learn two things: the food scene is top-tier, and the city loves its football. And right now, Texans fans have every reason to be hungry-for both.
Tank Dell, Houston’s dynamic young wide receiver, is back in the mix after a brutal knee injury ended his 2024 season early. And if you ask him, he’s not just back-he’s ready to “cook.”
Now, whether that means firing up the scoreboard or just dropping a little Gen Z slang, the message is clear: Dell is feeling good, and he’s ready to remind people why he was one of the most electric young receivers in the league before injuries slowed him down.
“What I’ve been through is something that taught me to be humble and just keep working,” Dell said this week while hosting a shopping spree for local youth athletes at Academy Sports and Outdoors. “I’m back, I’m feeling good right now. Once the season comes, I’m gonna cook up.”
That’s not just talk. Dell’s early NFL résumé speaks for itself.
In just 25 games across two seasons, he’s racked up 98 catches, 1,376 yards, and 10 touchdowns. He’s already posted four 100-yard receiving games-matching DeAndre Hopkins’ total through his first 25 games in a Texans uniform.
The only Houston receiver to do it more in that span? Andre Johnson.
That’s the kind of company Dell was keeping before injuries got in the way.
But here’s the reality: coming back from a major knee injury is never a sure thing, especially when it’s the second season-ending injury in as many years. Inside the Texans’ building, there’s cautious optimism. Everyone wants to believe Dell can return to his 2023-2024 form, but they also understand the road back isn’t guaranteed.
“Knowing Tank, he’s probably cautiously optimistic that he’s going to be able to go out there and be Tank Dell,” said Texans GM Nick Caserio. “I think everybody is hoping that’s the case, but you never know.
None of us control injuries and what happens. But I think everybody is rooting for Tank.
He’s worked very hard and had a great attitude. I’m excited to see him out there moving around.”
Caserio isn’t alone. No one may be more eager to see Dell back in action than quarterback C.J.
Stroud. The chemistry between Stroud and Dell was evident from the jump-on the field and off.
When Dell went down in Kansas City in December 2024, Stroud took it hard. The two had formed a bond that went well beyond the playbook.
Now, with Dell back in the building and gearing up for spring workouts, the energy around the Texans’ facility is shifting. There’s a renewed sense of excitement-and for Stroud, a familiar face back in the huddle.
“Being here every day, putting in the work and putting his best foot forward in some situations that were out of his control-I think it’s amazing to see him do that,” Stroud said. “I can’t wait to get my brother back on the field. I think our connection, hopefully our chemistry picks right back up where we left off.”
If it does, the Texans could be in for something special. Dell’s ability to stretch the field, create separation, and turn short catches into big gains was a huge part of what made Houston’s offense click when he was healthy. And with a quarterback like Stroud, who thrives on timing and trust, having Dell back could take this offense to another level.
So yes, Tank Dell says he’s ready to cook-and if he’s anything like the player we saw before the injuries, Texans fans should be setting the table. Because when Dell’s healthy, he’s more than just a deep threat. He’s a game-changer.