While most of the excitement from Thursday’s press conference was surrounding the hiring of new offensive coordinator Nick Caley, Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans provided a positive update on a key offensive weapon.
Second-year receiver Tank Dell suffered a season-ending knee injury in mid-December that will require multiple surgeries and a long recovery process back to the huddle. Recently, he was spotted with quarterback C.J. Stroud at a Rockets game, smiling and enjoying himself courtside.
Ryans said just the slight moment of happiness is a sign that Dell continues to head in the right direction.
Tank Dell is ‘on the right track’ in recovery from knee injury says ‘we’ll see where he ends up’ #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/4vn67lNdNV
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 13, 2025
“Tank is definitely in much better spirits. Encouraged with his process and where he is. I’m excited for Tank,” Ryans said Thursday. “It’s great to see him just with that smile back on his face.”
A 2023 third-round pick of the University of Houston, Dell suffered a torn ACL, MCL, LCL and meniscus damage while dislocating his knee during a touchdown catch in Houston’s regular season loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in late December, marking the second-season ending injury in two years.
Dell has already undergone one surgery, but it marks the first of several until he’s fully recovered.
Very loud ovation for Texans C.J. Stroud and Tank Dell…#Texans #Sarge pic.twitter.com/ixVk0f3WNI
— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) February 13, 2025
As for his future? Ryans didn’t answer if Dell could return at some point in the 2025 season, but was positive about how the 25-year-old looked through this stage of the process.
“We know he went through a devastating injury there. Hated to lose him, but he’s on the right track,” Ryans said. “We’ll see where he ends up as he continues to progress through his rehab.”
In 14 games, Dell caught 51 passes for 667 yards and three touchdowns on 81 targets. His best game came in the Week 15 showdown against Kansas City, where he totaled six catches for 98 yards and a touchdown before being carted off.