Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell is trending towards a return sooner rather than later.
Picture and video clips emerged of Dell running and cutting as he works back from a broken fibula he sustained during the 2023 season. His private coach, Delfonte Diamond, said Dell is, ‘Way ahead of schedule. Hasn’t missed a beat. He’ll be more than ready when OTA’s jump off,” according to KPRC’s 2 Aaron Wilson.
#Texans wide receiver Tank Dell @Tankdell4 off to encouraging start in speedy recovery from broken fibula, back running with his private coach Delfonte Diamond @DelfonteDiamond 'He's way ahead of schedule. Hasn't missed a beat. He'll be more than ready when OTAs jump off' @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/mEqPM7IH1k
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 17, 2024
Dell, 24, was off to a historic start in his rookie season before he suffered a broken fibula in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos. He finished his rookie year with 47 receptions for 709 yards and seven touchdowns.
In his past four games, Dell had 369 receiving yards on 25 catches and five touchdowns. Over a 17-game span, his final four appearances averaged 106 receptions, 1,568 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns.
He caught the game-winning touchdown in the Texans’ Week 9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dell played his college football at the University of Houston, becoming one of the most successful receivers in the nation. The Texans took him in the third round of the 2023 and he quickly built a strong rapport with quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Houston’s offense struggled to put up points with Dell. The Texans averaged six points less than their average without him the line-up. The Texans re-signed tight end Dalton Schultz and receiver Noah Brown to keep Stroud’s top pass-catchers together alongside Nico Collins. Houston discussed trading for newly acquired Chicago Bears receiver Keenan Allen and may still add to the position group throughout the offseason.
Dell’s trainer pointed to a return before the start of organized team activities, which begin in May. That would put Dell at around six months out from his injury. He missed one game with a concussion in Week 6.
“I’m giving all the props to our training and strength staff,” Dell said to Texans TV. “They’ve been getting me on the right road, and I feel like I’m back and ready. I’m waiting for the lights to shine again and for us to go out there as a team and complete the mission.”
Texans offseason conditioning begins on April 15 at the NRG Center, where Dell has been spending the bulk of his offseason while recovering.
