The Colts already have enough pressure on their pass defense without adding another dangerous name to the AFC South mix. But that’s exactly what Houston is about to do with Tank Dell, whose return could make life a lot harder for Indianapolis in 2026.
Lou Anarumo’s defense has to be sharper against the pass, plain and simple. Last season, the Colts allowed 247.9 passing yards per game, which tied for third-worst in the league. The pass rush was part of the problem, and while the secondary should get a boost from a full season of Sauce Gardner, there’s still plenty to clean up.
That’s where Dell comes in. The Texans are expected to ease him back once he’s cleared in training camp, but even a limited version of Dell changes the picture. He gives Houston a speed element and a big-play threat to pair with Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins, and that kind of depth can stress a defense that already has questions.
Dell’s injury was brutal. Late in 2024, he suffered meniscus damage and dislocated his knee, and he also tore his ACL, MCL, and LCL. That knocked him out for the entire 2025 season.
Even with the missed time, Dell has already shown what he can do. In 25 of 34 possible games, with 18 starts, he put up 98 catches for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns. He may not be a WR1 by himself, but he’s exactly the sort of weapon that can tilt a game when a defense loses track of him.
And Indianapolis has already seen the damage. Dell has 14 receptions for 147 yards and two touchdowns in three games against the Colts.
The Colts should have a strong cornerback tandem in Gardner and Charvarius Ward, but that doesn’t solve everything. If those two are occupied, somebody else has to handle the space that opens up, likely from the slot.
That puts Justin Walley, Cam Bynum, and rookie A.J. Haulcy in a tough spot, with very little room for mistakes.
C.J. Stroud hasn’t exactly been a terrifying force on his own, and even Houston may not be fully convinced after two underwhelming seasons.
But quarterback play doesn’t have to be elite when the weapons are this good. On paper, the Texans are loaded.
That’s the problem for Indianapolis. The Colts are no longer the team to catch in the division, and if this new regime starts under pressure, letting an AFC South opponent carve up the defense could make things ugly fast for Shane Steichen and company.
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