Houston Texans star's recovery milestone draws praise after career-threatening 2024 injury

The Houston Texans have waited nearly two full years to see this moment, and on Wednesday it finally arrived at training camp. Wide receiver Tank Dell put on full pads and ran routes for the first time since a devastating 2024 knee injury nearly ended his career.

The milestone comes after a long, uncertain rehab that included multiple surgeries and an entire lost season on the sideline. Dell’s return is still very much a process, but Wednesday marked real, visible progress toward getting back on the field.

Tank Dell returns to full pads at Texans camp

Video of the recent practice circulated quickly on social media, showing Dell running routes and catching passes from quarterback C.J. Stroud during individual drills at camp on Wednesday afternoon in Houston.

Dell worked mainly in receiver drills and was held out of team periods like 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 contact work during Wednesday's practice, a deliberate choice made by the coaching staff. He shifted to side work with a trainer once his individual reps were finished for the day at camp.

"It's been a roller coaster ride, to say the least," Dell said. "It's been a long journey, but I'm built for it, and I'm ready for it." The receiver avoided the Physically Unable to Perform list entirely to start training camp, a sign the Texans believed he was ready for this stage of his recovery.

Dell suffered a dislocated knee, torn ACL, MCL and PCL, plus vascular damage requiring emergency surgery, on a touchdown catch against Kansas City in December 2024. He missed the entire 2025 season rebuilding from what doctors called one of the league's toughest injury comebacks to make in recent memory across any position in football.

What Dell’s return could mean for Houston this season

Houston's receiving room has already seen other storylines develop around the league this offseason, including how Jaxon Smith-Njigba's rise in Seattle earned him a new honor that shows what a healthy, featured receiver can become in this league over a full season of consistent work.

The Texans hope Dell can eventually provide that same kind of lift alongside Nico Collins, similar to how Denver's trade for Jaylen Waddle is already looking like it will pay off for a contending roster in the AFC West this year. Before Wednesday's practice, the team had already flagged Dell's camp status as a significant update worth tracking closely heading into the new season.

Houston opens the regular season on September 13 against Buffalo, and there is still no confirmed timeline for Dell’s return to full team drills or preseason game action. Wednesday, though, was a real and meaningful step in that long and uncertain direction.

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