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News

Tank Dell injury update: Full practice, could return Week 6 vs. Jaguars

Texans WR Tank Dell was a full practice participant for the first time since his 2024 knee injury, and GM Nick Caserio said he could play this week or next.

By Cole Hartwell

Texans wide receiver Tank Dell was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, the first time he has practiced fully since suffering a serious knee injury in December 2024. General Manager Nick Caserio said on 95.7 The Fan that, barring a setback, Dell should return this week or next week.

What happened

Dell was a full practice participant on Wednesday, according to NBC Sports and Yahoo Sports. The Texans opened his 21-day return-to-practice window on Oct. 5. Caserio said on 95.7 The Fan that, barring a setback, Dell should return this week or next week.

Dell has not played since suffering a dislocated kneecap, torn ACL, MCL, LCL, and meniscus damage in Week 16 of the 2024 season against the Chiefs. He missed the entire 2025 season and started the 2026 season on injured reserve. Sleeper currently tags him as IR for a knee injury.

Context

Before the injury, Dell caught 98 passes for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns through his first 25 career games. He was a 2023 third-round pick. He has no stats this season while on injured reserve.

Timeline

  • Oct. 7, 2026: The Texans designated Dell to return from injured reserve, and he was practicing that day. Head coach DeMeco Ryans said the team expected to open the 21-day practice window, with a possible return as early as Week 5 against the Titans, or later in Week 6 in London against the Jaguars or Week 7 at home against the Giants.
  • Oct. 9, 2026: Dell was ruled out for the Week 5 road game against the Titans. He had been limited in practice again Thursday.
  • Oct. 14, 2026: Dell was a full practice participant for the first time since his injury, and Caserio said he could return this week or next.

Depth chart

Dell is listed as the sixth wide receiver on the Texans’ depth chart.

What’s next

The Texans play the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Oct. 18, in Week 6. It is a road game for Houston.

Tank Dell (knee) fully practices Wednesday.

🏈 Fantasy impact

Dell’s return to full practice is an encouraging sign, but he has not played since December 2024, and the Texans have multiple wide receivers producing. Nico Collins has 62.6 PPR points in 3 games, and Jaylin Noel (44.3 PPR), Xavier Hutchinson (39.5 PPR), and Kayshon Boutte (27.3 PPR) have been involved. If Dell is active this week against the Jaguars, he likely would be limited in his first game back. He is worth stashing in deeper leagues but should not be in lineups until he shows he is back to full health and has a defined role. The risk is that the Texans ease him back, especially with the team playing in London this week, which adds travel and practice complications.

Quick answers

Will Tank Dell play in Week 6?

According to GM Nick Caserio, barring a setback, Dell should return this week or next week. He was a full practice participant on Wednesday.

Sources

  1. NFL schedule, Week 6 (ESPN)
  2. Player data (Sleeper)
  3. Houston Texans depth chart, WR (Sleeper)
  4. Tank Dell injury update: Out Week 5 vs. Titans (knee) (Fantasy Football Desk)
  5. Tank Dell injury update: Out Week 5 vs. Titans after limited practice Thursday (Fantasy Football Desk)
  6. Tank Dell Injury Update: Texans Open Practice Window, Return Possible Week 5 (Fantasy Football Desk)
  7. Texans WR Tank Dell a full practice participant for first time since 2024 season (NBC Sports / ProFootballTalk)
  8. Texans WR Tank Dell a full practice participant for first time since 2024 season (Yahoo Sports)
  9. Tank Dell (knee) fully practices Wednesday. (X (@UnderdogNFL))

This article was drafted by AI from the sources above and published after every claim passed an automatic check against those sources. Our editor monitors stories and corrects errors. How we work · Report an error