Tank Dell returns to padded practice for Texans

Tank Dell returns to padded practice

Tank Dell, WR for the Houston Texans, was back in padded team practice Wednesday, per Adam Schefter (via DJ Bienaime). It is the first time Dell has participated in any padded team practice since December 2024.

Dell suffered a dislocated kneecap plus torn ACL, MCL, and LCL in a Week 16 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He underwent multiple surgeries and spent the entire 2025 season on the physically unable to perform list.

How he got here

Progress has been gradual. Head coach DeMeco Ryans said at the NFL Annual League Meeting that Dell was grinding with a good attitude. Dell was seen running routes and catching passes during the offseason program, though not as a full participant. He resumed running and cutting at OTAs and described himself as "ready" when asked about his timeline.

The Texans did not include Dell on their PUP list heading into training camp, which cleared him to participate. He worked on the side during the early portion of camp before Wednesday's padded practice.

What this means for your fantasy roster

Before the injury, Dell had back-to-back productive seasons. He posted 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in just 11 games as a rookie in 2023, then added 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games in 2024 before going down.

With Dell back alongside Nico Collins, C.J. Stroud has both of his top targets available. Dell's workload management through the rest of camp is worth watching closely. He is not a plug-and-play starter yet, but Wednesday's milestone puts him squarely on the radar for 2026 redraft leagues and raises his dynasty value.