DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans did not have Tank Dell on the field at all during the 2025 season, and it showed. Dell suffered a significant knee injury during the 2024 campaign, and he spent the entire 2025 season rehabbing.
Houston still made the playoffs for the third straight season. That was despite not winning the AFC South for the first time in that span.
However, the lack of Dell’s production and presence showed as the offense struggled.
Tank Dell Makes Bold Statement
GettyTank Dell #3 of the Houston Texans looks on from the sideline during a game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Houston Cougars.
Dell, the 69th overall pick of the 2023 draft, posted 98 receptions for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns over his first two seasons in the NFL. He ranked fourth in average depth of target among players with at least 90 receptions in that same window, per Stathead.
During an appearance for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston at Academy Sports + Outdoors, the ex-University of Houston star met with the media for the first time since his injury.
Dell made it clear he plans to come back with a vengeance.
“What I’ve been through is something that taught me to be humble and just keep working,” Dell told reporters in attendance on January 28. “But I’m back. I feel like I’m feeling good right now. Like they said, DeMeco and them preached, I’m feeling good. And once the season comes, I’m gonna cook up.”
The Texans’ offense ranked 13th in scoring and 18th overall. They struggled more on the ground (22nd) than in the passing game (14th) in their first year under offensive coordinator Nick Caley, who is tracking to return for a second season.
Houston ranked 19th and 22nd last season, so there was improvement, even without Dell on the field.
Getting Dell back will be a boon for the Texans and quarterback C.J. Stroud in particular.
Tank Dell Tried to Return During 2025 Season
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans reacts against the San Francisco 49ers.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio said during his season-ending media availability on January 21 that Dell was “doing awesome,” and they “anticipate” he will be ready for their offseason program. Ryans noted that Dell pushed to return late this past season.
“He was battling trying to get back,” Ryans said on January 19, adding, “it just didn’t work out that way,” but that he is “excited to see him back on the field next year.”
Asked what that process entailed, Dell said, “It looked like a lot of hard work.”
“I was making a push. I wanted to get out there with the guys this year–well, last year. And just that football season alone was like the hardest year of my life,” Dell said of his lost season. “Just sitting out for football for like a year straight. Been playing football since I was 5, and that was my first year I ever had sit out of football. So, that was hard. But I tried to make a push back. It didn’t go as planned. But I got time now, and I’ll be ready.”
Dell expressed gratitude for the support he received from everyone in the Texans’ organization, from coaches to support staff, and “especially my teammates,” saying, “Everybody was supportive of me, praying for me.”
Tank Dell Looking to Prove Himself Amid Potential Contract Extension
GettyHouston Texans general manager Nick Caserio looks on before a game against the Chicago Bears.
Caserio also fielded a question about offering Dell a short-term contract extension to keep him around for at least another season. That would allow the Texans to further evaluate him. It is what the Texans did during the campaign with tight end Brevin Jordan.
Caserio said they would take it on a case-by-case basis. He also noted the uncertainty about what kind of player Dell would be upon returning.
Caserio called it “TBD.”
Dell seemingly responded with a post on X, saying that he would have to “prove myself again,” but that it was “nothing new” and he has “been here before,” vowing to “write back soon,” following Caserio’s comments.
Texans’ Tank Dell Breaks Silence Ahead of Potential Decision