How Texans wide receiver Tank Dell plans to ‘hit the ground running’ this offseason as speedy recovery continues

HOUSTON – Tank Dell can hardly wait for the day when he’ll be able to take off one one of his trademark routes, accelerating away from pursuit after executing another sharp move to catch a football in stride.

That day is coming, though, as soon as this spring.

An outstanding rookie season was interrupted for the Texans’ wide receiver when he broke his fibula against the Denver Broncos, underwent surgery and was placed on injured reserve.

Now, the former University of Houston standout is making a speedy recovery as he diligently rehabilitates his leg with a goal of being back on the practice field with his teammates for organized team activities this spring. Dell is expected to be a full participant in the Texans’ offseason conditioning program, too.

Watching his good friend, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, put on a show at the Pro Bowl Games only provided more motivational fuel for Dell to get back on the field catching passes from the frontrunner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

“Yeah, definitely by the time they come back, I’m going to hit the ground running,” Dell told KPRC 2 during the Tristar Productions autograph show at NRG Arena. “I’m going to be ready. I’m just waiting on 7 and those guys to come back from enjoying their time off and we’ll get back to work.

“The offseason has been good, just rehab every day, Monday through Friday, Saturdays on my own. Trying to get one percent better, so, once we do come back for OTAs, I’m ready to go.”

Dell put on a show as a rookie, delivering a series of dynamic performances in a potent passing connection with Stroud.

Although relatively undersized at 5-foot-8, 165 pounds, Dell excelled through a combination of crisp route running skills, body control and speed.

Now, Dell is working on achieving another quality: patience.

“Definitely, because me being who I am I’m ready to go right now, but I just can’t,” Dell said. “So, just staying patient, staying humble, putting my faith in God just knowing when the timing is right I’ll be ready to go.”

Dell got hurt in the 11th game of the season while blocking on a red-zone run as bodies awkwardly crumpled his leg in a scrum.

Although the season ended prematurely and Dell could have provided a boost to the AFC South champions, the Florida native still set a franchise rookie record with seven touchdown catches. He finished with 47 receptions for 709 yards.

“I just feel that was a test run for me,” Dell said. “I had a lot more to display, but God puts you through things for a reason. So I just kept my head up. I know the years to come are going to be special here. It’s going to be good.”

The Texans, one year removed from a 3-13-1 season under former coach Lovie Smith, finished 11-8 under coach DeMeco Ryans and won the division title for the first time since the 2019 season. They won a playoff game over the Cleveland Browns before falling in the AFC divisional round to the Baltimore Ravens.

“It’s been great seeing the guys accomplish so much,” Dell said. “So many people sold us short this year. We wanted more, but that’s just a steppingstone, a starting point, to what we’re going to be in the future.”

When Dell got hurt, he was in the hospital to undergo surgery to repair the damage to his leg. During that time of his successful procedure, Stroud and other teammates and coaches visited him in the hospital.

“It meant everything,” Dell said. “The first day I got hurt, so many messages from my teammates. The support staff has been awesome. They’ve been here the whole time. It’s been great.”

From a rehab standpoint, Dell is making outstanding progress.

He can walk without a limp. Soon, he’ll be running again.

“Physically, I’m good,” Dell said. “I’ll be back soon. I can do everything, everything. For sure, I’ll be ready.”

Dell was on track for 73 catches, 1,096 yards and 11 touchdowns when he got hurt. Dell broke tight end Owen Daniels’ rookie franchise record for touchdown catches.

Four of the Texans’ catches of at least 20 yards or more came on Dell touchdown receptions. That’s the third-highest mark in the league for any receiver with touchdowns of at least 20 yards, at the time of his injury.

“Tank is my brother,” Stroud said. “I don’t think blood can make us any closer. I think it shows on the field, and we’re going to build on that. It happens naturally. We’re boys. You don’t force stuff with your boy. We’re both tremendously excited to keep this going and work hard to be great.”

Dell has an infectious personality and a love for the game. He’s wide open on his routes because of his ability to convincingly sell a route.

Now, it’s time for a comeback.

“God gives his strongest soldiers the toughest battles, so it made me grow a lot and made me sit back and really dedicate my whole life to playing football,” Dell said. “It showed me how much I need this sport. This is what keeps me going. This is my blessing in life, I feel like, just to be out here and put smiles on other people’s faces. The fans, the coaches, my teammates.”

The bond that Dell and Stroud built together is a strong one.

They’re counting on each other to manufacture an even better season together after engineering a turnaround last year.

“That came to fruition, so we’re just trying to keep going,” Dell said. “Everybody knows the end goal is the Super Bowl. So from this day forward, it’s what we’re working toward.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.