If there was any concern about Texans receiver Tank Dell’s ability to bounce back from last year’s season-ending fractured fibula injury or the scary shooting incident in Florida this past spring, it was all put to rest in one explosive play.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud dropped back and hit the speedy second-year receiver in stride during last week’s preseason game against Pittsburgh. Dell did the rest. The explosive 5-foot-8 receiver broke tackles and didn’t quit until he reached the end zone 34 yards later.
It was obvious there was no denying him.
“Once I saw the goal line I was like, ‘I’ve got to get across it,” Dell said. “I don’t know how but I’ve got to.’ So, it felt good.”
It was an affirmation that all his hard work had paid off after a brilliant rookie season abruptly came to an end when he suffered the fractured fibula injury in Week 13 and subsequently needed surgery to repair it.
Dell worked diligently this offseason to be able to pick up where he left off. He was so determined to get back to form that he began working on his own probably sooner than the doctors might have wanted him to.
“I wasn’t even cleared yet and I was kind of like going on my own, doing cutting drills on my own,” the former University of Houston standout said. “So, it kind of sped the process up for me, so I’d say around when me and C.J. went to LA, it was like a while back. I forget what month it was, but I started getting confident again in myself because we were running routes full-speed and I felt like I was coming out fast in my groove, so I felt good.”
Even with star receiver Nico Collins on the field last season, the natural connection between Stroud and Dell was obvious from the start of their rookie season. Dell was well on his way to eclipsing 1,000 receiving as a rookie before the injury ended his season with 47 receptions for 709 yards.
Dell, the Texans’ third-round pick in 2023, was impressive enough last season to have many predicting he could be in for a breakout second year. Those are some lofty expectations given that he will have to share the ball with Pro Bowl receivers Stefon Diggs and Collins this season along with tight end Dalton Schultz.
Nobody will be cheering harder for Dell this season than the man who will be throwing passes his way. Stroud and Dell began a connection as rookies that is tight off the field as it is on it.
“That’s my brother in Christ,” Stroud said after Friday’s 20-12 win over the Steelers. “And it’s good to see him back out there, get him the ball, let him do what he do.
“So very happy for him, and it’s just amazing to see all the stuff he’s been through to persevere through that and make a big-time play. That’s who he is and it’s much more to come.”
Texans second-year head coach DeMeco Ryans is certainly counting on big things from Dell this season and beyond. He says Dell’s explosiveness is what set him apart.
“I tell Tank ‘that’s who you are and I expect you to be explosive every time you touch the ball,” said Ryans, whose team comes home to host the New York Giants at NRG Stadium for the third preseason game on Saturday. “Like everybody needs to be standing up in the crowd like what’s about to happen when Tank has the ball in his hands.”
It’s the impression Dell worked hard this offseason to make. He feels like he still has that edge.
“It doesn’t leave me at all,” Dell said. “My confidence doesn’t waver. I feel like when I am out there at any moment I can make a play. That is the confidence you have to have in yourself to go out and make the play. I feel good.”
