Dell’s Sunday return gives Houston another receiver after 22 months out

Houston expects Tank Dell back against the Giants on Sunday, coach DeMeco Ryans announced Monday. The receiver has spent 22 months working toward his first NFL game since suffering multiple torn ligaments and a dislocated kneecap against Kansas City in December 2024.

Dell missed the entire 2025 season and opened this year on injured reserve. The Texans confirmed his planned return Monday.

Ryans is keeping his expectations modest for Dell's first game back. His priority is seeing the receiver take the field again, ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime reported. The coach did not set a target for catches, snaps or production.

Dell opened his practice window two weeks ago and has worked without a setback, according to Bien-Aime. That followed a training camp in which his participation was largely limited to individual drills. He took part in team drills on only two days, with just one of those sessions in pads.

ESPN's Adam Schefter also reported Ryans' announcement that Dell would play Sunday.

Houston's receiver group has changed

Dell returns to an offense that has added Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kayshon Boutte alongside Nico Collins, Jaylin Noel and Xavier Hutchinson. Harrison made his Texans debut in Sunday's 34-31 win over Jacksonville in London, while Noel produced his first career game with more than 100 receiving yards.

In the team's account of that game, C.J. Stroud welcomed the depth at receiver and named Dell among the players he was looking forward to having available. Ryans praised Noel for making more plays as his opportunities increased and said Harrison made important catches near the goal line.

That leaves Houston several options as Dell works back into game action. Monday's announcement establishes when his return is expected; it does not establish how the Texans will divide the receiving work.

The Texans come home at 2-4 after beating Jacksonville. Dell's planned appearance against New York would be his first chance to join them in a game since the injury that interrupted his second NFL season.

Earlier reporting: October 14–15

The Texans have another concrete sign of progress from Tank Dell: full participation in Wednesday’s practice. The receiver has not appeared in a game since the knee injury he suffered in December 2024. NFL.com’s league report lists him as full, and NBC Sports reported it was his first full participation designation since that injury.

Dell missed the entire 2025 season and the beginning of this season. His return to limited practice last week gave Houston a chance to evaluate him during its 21-day window; Wednesday’s full workload advances that process without announcing an activation or game appearance.

Nick Caserio said on 95.7 The Fan that Dell could return this week or next week if he avoids a setback, NBC Sports reported. That is a conditional outlook from Houston’s general manager, rather than a confirmed return date.

The receiver’s production before the injury explains the interest in his progress. Dell caught 98 passes for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns across 25 games in 2023 and 2024, according to his official career record. Houston’s current roster continues to list him in the injured-reserve return process.

Dell’s full session came on a mixed practice day for the Texans. David Montgomery, Trent Brown, Azeez Al-Shaair and Jalen Pitre did not participate. Houston is preparing for Sunday’s divisional game against Jacksonville in London, with Dell’s next roster and game-status decisions still ahead.

Sources

NFL: Texans Wednesday participation · NBC: Dell’s first full session since 2024 injury · Texans: current roster · Dell’s official career record