Tank Dell is ready to celebrate his return to the football field, no matter how many yards he gains on his first catch. The Houston Texans wide receiver is set to play Sunday against the New York Giants, marking his first game since suffering a devastating knee injury in December 2024.
“I don’t care if the first catch is 2 yards, 5 yards—I’m spiking the ball. I’m ready to get tackled. I’m gonna be joyful,” Dell said, according to Dov Kleiman, who shared the comments on X.
The 26-year-old has spent nearly two years recovering from an injury that interrupted his promising NFL career. His return gives Houston another receiving option as it looks to build on its recent improvement.
Dell suffered the injury during a December 21, 2024, game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He dislocated his kneecap and tore multiple ligaments, including his ACL, MCL and LCL, along with damage to his meniscus. The injury required multiple surgeries and kept him out for the remainder of the 2024 season and all of 2025.
The Texans opened Dell’s 21-day practice window on October 7, allowing him to work toward a return. Head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed on October 19 that Dell would play against New York after practicing without setbacks. Ryans said the team had no major statistical expectations for Dell’s first game back.
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Before the injury, Dell had established himself as a productive target for quarterback C.J. Stroud. He recorded 98 receptions for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns across his first two NFL seasons after Houston selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Dell returns to a receiving group that includes Nico Collins, Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson and Marvin Harrison Jr. His exact workload remains uncertain, but his return gives Houston another option in its passing game.
The Texans enter Sunday’s matchup with a 2-4 record after beating the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. The Giants are 3-2-1, making the Week 7 meeting an important opportunity for Houston to keep building momentum. Dell’s first game back will also give the team its first look at him in regular-season action since his lengthy rehabilitation.
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