Tank Dell, Texans receiver, says he is nearing a full return after 2024 knee injury

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell said he can see a clearer path back to the field after missing the entire 2025 season while recovering from a severe knee injury sustained in December 2024. In an offseason update reported by Yahoo Sports, Dell characterized his rehabilitation as moving into its final phase, describing a sense of progress and time “at the end of the tunnel” as his return timeline approaches.

Dell’s injury came during an NFL game in Kansas City when his kneecap dislocated and he also tore multiple ligaments in the knee. That combination, rather than a simple sprain, is the kind of damage that typically requires a long, cautious rebuilding of stability, strength, and confidence in cutting and acceleration, especially for a receiver whose route running depends on quick changes of direction.

According to the report, Dell did not play in an NFL game after that injury, and his absence extended through all of last season. The gap is significant for both a player and a team: for Dell, it means missing regular-season reps and the rhythm of full-contact weeks. For Houston, it means shaping its offense without one of its downfield weapons while evaluating how the rest of the passing group can absorb those targets.

In the months since the injury, Dell reportedly worked his way back gradually. The same account says he participated in limited work during the team’s offseason program this year, a common indicator that the player is past the earliest phases of rehabilitation and beginning to operate more like a practicing member of the unit rather than a restricted observer.

Dell also indicated that he feels prepared to take on a heavier workload when the Texans move into training camp. For a receiver returning from knee ligament and kneecap instability, “ready for a full plate” does not automatically translate into immediate full snap counts or a smooth ramp-up, but it does suggest the physical and medical milestones that allow a team to plan for practice availability rather than ongoing caution.

The Texans’ offseason priorities will naturally be influenced by whether Dell can return to consistent practice and then transition that to game readiness. Even when a player returns to the field in camp, the coaching staff’s planning often hinges on how the knee responds to increasing intensity, including route-breaking drills, sprint speed work, and high-velocity work versus defensive coverage.

For Dell, the next test is not just being able to run routes, but doing it repeatedly and trusting the knee late in practices and games. If he can build continuity over the summer, his return could restore a familiar element to Houston’s offense and tighten the options available in the passing game.

Whether Dell’s recovery turns into a steady return or requires a slower ramp will be clearer once the Texans’ camp participation and early-season practice availability are established. Until then, fans and team staff will likely focus on day-to-day workload, the ability to stay on the field, and how quickly Dell can re-enter the timing and spacing of the offense.