Tank Dell’s Road to Recovery: Can the Texans’ Spark Plug Stay on the Field in 2026?
When Tank Dell is healthy and on the field, the Houston Texans’ offense feels like it’s running on rocket fuel. His chemistry with C.J.
Stroud has already produced some electric moments, and in many ways, Dell has stepped into the deep-threat role that once made Will Fuller V such a dynamic weapon in Houston. But just like Fuller, Dell’s biggest challenge has been staying healthy.
Over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Dell put together a strong body of work: 156 targets, 98 catches, 1,376 yards, 69 first downs, and 10 touchdowns-not to mention 94 rushing yards on 10 carries. That’s the kind of production that can stretch defenses and open up the entire playbook. When Dell is in the lineup and Stroud is dealing, the Texans look like a team that can beat anybody.
But that’s the catch-when Dell is in the lineup.
His 2024 campaign came to a painful halt in Week 18 against the Chiefs. After hauling in a 30-yard touchdown that briefly pulled the Texans within a point, Dell collided with teammate Jared Wayne in the end zone.
The result was a dislocated kneecap, a significant injury that required him to be carted off the field and transported to a nearby trauma center. The touchdown was spectacular.
The aftermath, brutal.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans called it a “significant” injury, and while Dell flew back to Houston soon after, the full extent of the damage was still being evaluated. At the time, there was no word on any additional ligament damage, but even a dislocated kneecap is no small hurdle for a player whose game is built on speed and agility.
It’s not hard to imagine how things might’ve gone differently had Dell stayed in that game. The Texans lost 27-19, and Dell’s absence was felt immediately.
Without his ability to take the top off the defense, Houston’s offense lost some of its rhythm and explosiveness. That injury didn’t just impact that game-it cast a shadow over the entire postseason run.
And it didn’t stop there. In the Texans’ season-ending loss to the Patriots, Stroud had arguably his worst performance as a pro.
He was missing his top three targets-Dell, Nico Collins, and Dalton Schultz-as well as starting right tackle Trent Brown. The offense sputtered, and Stroud looked out of sync all afternoon.
It was a stark reminder of just how thin the margin is in the NFL, especially when your playmakers are sidelined.
Now, the attention turns to 2026, and the question is simple: can Tank Dell stay on the field?
Texans GM Nick Caserio recently addressed Dell’s status during his end-of-season press conference. While he didn’t offer a definitive timeline, he did express cautious optimism about Dell’s recovery, saying he “anticipates” Dell being available for the offseason and that the team will have a better sense of his progress once he’s back on the field. Caserio knows Dell well-and if anyone’s going to attack rehab with purpose, it’s Tank.
Dell, for his part, hasn’t shied away from the spotlight. He stood by Stroud after the Texans’ playoff exit and continues to be a vocal leader despite being sidelined. His connection with Stroud runs deep, and that bond could be a major asset as they look to bounce back in 2026.
The comparison to Will Fuller is hard to ignore-not just because of their similar stat lines, but because of the shared narrative. Both are blazing-fast receivers who can flip a game in one play.
Both have struggled to stay healthy. And both, when active, elevate the Texans’ offense to another level.
Take a look at their 17-game averages:
- Tank Dell: 106 targets, 67 receptions, 936 yards, 14.0 yards per catch, 47 first downs, 7 touchdowns
- Will Fuller V: 105 targets, 66 receptions, 969 yards, 14.7 yards per catch, 44 first downs, 7 touchdowns
It’s uncanny. But while Fuller never played more than 14 games in a single season, Dell still has time to rewrite that part of the story.
He played 11 games as a rookie, 14 in his second year, and missed his third season entirely due to the knee injury. If he can stay healthy in 2026, there’s still a chance for a breakout year.
Of course, there’s another wrinkle in this story: new offensive coordinator Nick Caley. Known for a run-first, “hammer the A-gap” approach, Caley’s system could look very different from what Stroud and Dell thrived in last year. How Dell fits into that scheme-and whether Caley can keep his playmakers out of harm’s way-is another question entirely.
But this is the offseason, and in the NFL, that means hope is undefeated. Dell is working his way back, Stroud is still the franchise cornerstone, and the Texans have a young core that’s hungry to take the next step.
If Dell can stay upright and explosive, don’t be surprised if we’re talking about him catching the game-winning touchdown in next year’s Super Bowl.