The Houston Texans are taking the long view with Tank Dell, and that means the wide receiver’s 2025 season is starting on injured reserve.
According to The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander, Dell will be placed on IR and designated to return before Sunday’s roster cutdown deadline. The move keeps him on the roster, but it also means he won’t count against the 53-man limit while he continues his recovery.
That recovery has been a slow climb back from the brutal knee injury he suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs in December of 2024. Dell damaged his ACL, MCL, LCL, and meniscus, then finally returned to practice with Houston for the first time this training camp.
The expectation around camp had been building for a while, and by the end, this outcome felt more and more likely. Instead of being available when Houston opens the regular season next month against the Buffalo Bills, Dell will stay sidelined for now.
At minimum, he’ll miss four games: the Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, and Dallas Cowboys. Until the Texans activate him, he can’t practice with the team or suit up for games.
The Texans’ decision buys them time without forcing Dell onto the active roster too early. It also leaves room for another receiver or two to step into the mix while he finishes working back.
When healthy, Dell has been a real weapon. In 25 games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, he caught 98 passes for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging more than 55 yards per game.
Houston will need others to carry the load in the meantime, and two names stand out: Xavier Hutchinson and Kayshon Boutte. Both are in line for snaps at outside receiver opposite Nico Collins and should see the biggest share of work while Dell remains out.
One more name to keep in mind is Jared Wayne. The third-year undrafted wideout has been one of Houston’s training camp and preseason standouts, and he’s stayed on the roster through the Texans’ wave of cuts at receiver.
Wayne has the size and skill to play outside, and he could also help on special teams, which gives him a path to value as a WR5 or WR6 while Dell waits for his return.
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