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News

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

Tank Dell Injury Update: Texans Open Practice Window, Return Possible Week 5

Houston has designated Tank Dell to return from IR, and he practiced Wednesday for the first time since his 2024 knee injury.

By Cole Hartwell

Tank Dell is officially back at practice. The Houston Texans designated the wide receiver to return from injured reserve on Wednesday, opening his 21-day practice window, according to Adam Schefter. Dell is recovering from a severe knee injury that ended his 2024 season and kept him out all of 2025.

What happened

Dell participated in practice Wednesday, per Schefter and Underdog NFL. The Texans had been expected to open his practice window this week, according to RotoBaller, citing head coach DeMeco Ryans. The team now has 21 days to activate him to the 53-man roster.

Dell suffered a dislocated kneecap and tears to his ACL, MCL, LCL, and meniscus in Week 16 of the 2024 season, per RotoBaller. He was placed on injured reserve to start the 2026 season and has not yet played this year.

Context

Before the injury, Dell was a dynamic playmaker for Houston. As a rookie in 2023, he caught 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games. In 2024, he had 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games, according to RotoBaller.

The Texans are 0-4 this season and have struggled to find reliable receivers behind Nico Collins. RotoBaller reports that Jayden Higgins is out for the year with a knee injury, while Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel, and Jared Wayne have not locked down consistent roles. Collins also missed two games, leaving the offense short on weapons.

What’s next

Dell is eligible to return as early as Week 5, when the Texans visit the Tennessee Titans. However, the team could opt to activate him for Week 6 in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars or Week 7 at home against the New York Giants, per RotoBaller. The 21-day window gives Houston until late October to make a decision.

Texans designated WR Tank Dell to return from injured reserve, and he is practicing today.

Tank Dell (knee) returns to practice Wednesday.

🏈 Fantasy impact

Dell is worth stashing in deeper leagues if you have an IR spot available. He carries significant risk given the severity of his knee injury and extended absence, but his pre-injury production shows top-30 WR upside. If he returns in Week 5 against the Titans, he would immediately compete for targets in a Houston offense that has lacked a consistent No. 2 receiver. Managers in shallower formats should wait for confirmation he will be active and see his snap count before adding him. Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson, and Jaylin Noel lose value once Dell is active.

Quick answers

When will Tank Dell play in 2026?

Dell could return as early as Week 5 vs. the Titans, or later in Week 6 against the Jaguars or Week 7 against the Giants, according to RotoBaller.

Sources

  1. Player data (Sleeper)
  2. Texans designated WR Tank Dell to return from injured reserve, and he is practicing today. (X (@AdamSchefter))
  3. Tank Dell (knee) returns to practice Wednesday. (X (@UnderdogNFL))
  4. Is Tank Dell Out for the Season? Injury Update and Fantasy Football Outlook (Week 5) (RotoBaller)

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