Texans WR Tank Dell ready to return after season-long absence: 'Hardest year of my life'

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Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell is ready to return after missing the entire 2025 season following his 2024 catastrophic knee injury.

In his first public comments about the recovery, Dell said that he’s itching to return in 2026.

“What I’ve been through is something that taught me to be humble and just keep working,” Dell said, via Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle. “But I’m back. I feel like I’m feeling good right now… Once the season comes, we’re gonna cook up.”

Dell suffered a gruesome injury on Dec. 21, 2024, with his leg bending awkwardly on a touchdown catch against the Kansas City Chiefs. The wideout suffered a dislocated knee, a torn ACL, MCL, and LCL, and additional meniscus damage, requiring several surgeries to repair all the damage.

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Dell called the past season, watching his teammate press on without him, the “hardest year of my life.”

“I’ve been playing football since I was 5, and that was the first year I’ve ever had to sit out from football,” Dell said. “That was hard.”

The receiver’s absence left a hole in the Texans’ passing attack. Nico Collins led the club with 1,117 yards and six touchdowns but also missed three games, including the playoff loss to New England. The club prepared for Dell’s absence by drafting rookie Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, and traded for Christian Kirk, but none could fully replace Dell’s presence. His return in 2026 will be a welcome sight for C.J. Stroud and the rest of the Texans offense, as they look to bounce back from the 2025 struggles.

“I wanted to be out there with the guys last year,” Dell said. “But I’ve got time now and I’ll be ready.”

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