SEA
DEN
HOU
JAX
CHI
ATL
BAL
CLE
TEN
IND
NYJ
NE
NO
NYG
CAR
PHI
PIT
TB
ARI
LAR
LAC
KC
BUF
LV
DAL
GB
WAS
SFNewer update on Tank Dell: Tank Dell injury update: Full practice, could return Week 6 vs. Jaguars
Tank Dell injury update: Out Week 5 vs. Titans (knee)
Texans ruled out Tank Dell for Week 5 against the Titans, but Azeez Al-Shaair, Will Anderson Jr., and Jadeveon Clowney will play.
Tank Dell will not play in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans. The Texans ruled him out as he continues to work back from a knee injury.
What happened
Dell has been ruled out for Houston’s road game Sunday against the Titans, according to Yahoo Sports. He is working his way back from a gruesome 2024 knee injury that wiped out his 2025 season.
Context
Dell has not played this season and has no games played in 2026. He is listed on the Texans’ depth chart as SWR6 and has a Sleeper injury tag of “IR” for a knee injury involving ACL and MCL, though that is Sleeper’s own listing and may not reflect his current roster status.
Nico Collins leads Houston’s wide receivers with 52.0 PPR points on 18 targets, 14 receptions, 193 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns in two games. He is projected for 16.8 PPR points in Week 5. Xavier Hutchinson has 29.0 PPR points in four games, Jaylin Noel has 29.1, and Kayshon Boutte has 20.5.
Timeline
On October 9, it was reported that Dell was out for Week 5 and had been limited in practice again Thursday. He has not played since suffering a dislocated kneecap, torn ACL, MCL, LCL, and meniscus damage in Week 16 of the 2024 season.
On October 7, it was reported that the Texans designated Dell to return from injured reserve and he was practicing that day. Coach DeMeco Ryans said the team expected to open the 21-day practice window that week, 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.
On October 6, it was reported that Ryans said the team expected to open the practice window that week. Dell had not played in a game since December 21, 2024, and had missed 27 straight games including playoffs.
What’s next
The Texans play the Titans on Sunday.
🏈 Fantasy impact
Dell remains out for Week 5, so fantasy managers need to leave him on benches or IR. The Texans had previously indicated 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. Continue to stash Dell if roster space allows.
With Dell out, Nico Collins remains the clear top option with 52.0 PPR points in two games and a Week 5 projection of 16.8 points. Xavier Hutchinson (29.0 PPR), Jaylin Noel (29.1), and Kayshon Boutte (20.5) are the next receivers, but none has provided consistent fantasy value. Hutchinson leads the group in targets with 26, but his 2.6-point projection for Week 5 suggests limited upside. Consider Collins a must-start, while the others are desperation flex plays at best.
Quick answers
Will Tank Dell play in Week 5?
No, Tank Dell is out for Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans.
Sources
- NFL schedule, Week 5 (ESPN)
- Player data (Sleeper)
- Houston Texans depth chart, WR (Sleeper)
- Tank Dell injury update: Out Week 5 vs. Titans after limited practice Thursday (Fantasy Football Desk)
- Tank Dell Injury Update: Texans Open Practice Window, Return Possible Week 5 (Fantasy Football Desk)
- Tank Dell Nears Return As Texans Plan To Open 21-Day Practice Window (Fantasy Football Desk)
- Texans will have Azeez Al-Shaair, Will Anderson Jr., Jadeveon Clowney (Yahoo Sports)
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