Tank Dell’s second game back with the Houston Texans should come with a bigger workload, and not just because the team needs him.
Dell made his long-awaited return in Week 7 against the New York Giants, appearing in an NFL game for the first time in more than 670 days after recovering from his devastating 2024 knee injury. He didn’t need long to remind Houston what he can do.
On his first catch back, Dell hauled in a 41-yard pass from C.J. Stroud, which stood as the Texans’ longest offensive play of the day in a game that ended in a 21-27 overtime loss.
That was Dell’s only reception, and he played just a dozen offensive snaps. This week, though, the setup looks different. Houston heads into its Week 9 matchup with the LA Chargers coming off a bye, and Dell is expected to be more involved.
The Texans are also dealing with a loss at receiver. Jaylin Noel has been placed on season-ending injured reserve with a turf toe injury, which opens more room for Dell and the other healthy wideouts to take on added responsibility. But head coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday that the increase in Dell’s role is also part of the natural ramp-up after his return.
“Yeah, we’ll see more of Tank. And, not because of who’s out.
Tank, this is his second week now playing,” Ryans said. “So, I think his reps will just increase with his workload.
He’s put a lot of work in on the side and it’s just a natural progression of an increase in his workload.”
Dell may also have a bigger job waiting for him on special teams. The Texans have named him their top kick returner, giving him another way to get on the field in short bursts and use the speed that has always made him dangerous. It also gives Houston a chance to get more juice from a return game that has been underwhelming early in the season.
Dell sounded ready for that challenge when asked about returning kicks.
“Very comfortable. I’ve been catching punts since college,” Dell said ahead of Week 9.
“I’m very comfortable back there fielding the ball, making guys miss and getting up field and try to break a touchdown. I haven’t done one of those yet, so that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
So the expectation is clear: more Tank Dell on offense, more Tank Dell on special teams, and a chance for the Texans to lean on his explosiveness again after easing him in last week. If he’s anywhere near the player he was before the injury, Houston has a real weapon back in the mix for the stretch run.
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