Houston Texans fans everywhere, rejoice.
Tank Dell is back at practice.
On Monday, Texanshead coach DeMeco Ryans announced that the team plans to open up the 21-day window for Dell to return to practice. Two days later, he was seen participating in drills while working reps with the offense ahead of Sunday's road trip to Nashville for an AFC South battle against the Tennessee Titans.
Tank Dell participating in practice for the first time since training camp. pic.twitter.com/L3ZU0L5hyd
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) October 7, 2026
While the window will be open, that doesn't mean that Dell will be cleared for the Week 5 matchup between winless opponents, but it is an important step in the right direction.
Whenever the 2023 third-round pick returns, it'll mark the first time he's played in a game
since December 2024, after being carted off with a significant knee injury.
Dell, who has 10 career touchdowns in two seasons, made strides toward returning sooner while appearing in several non-contact practices. However, Dell was never able to partake in team drills, eventually leading to him being placed on the injured reserve to the begin the year.
Texans designated WR Tank Dell to return from injured reserve, and he is practicing today. pic.twitter.com/ENVXDEoSGP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2026
General manager Nick Caserio said previously that Dell was working on getting back to his top speed, something that had been in discussion since late last season. By the end of the 21-day window, Houston will have to either call up Dell and place him on the active roster, or shut him down for the rest of the regular season.
"You have to see how guys respond to practice,” Ryans said. “This would be the first time that all those guys were back out practicing. We see how they respond, how their week goes and then we’ll see what happens on Sunday.”
Right now, the Texans have one trusted playmaker in Nico Collins, who finished with over 100 yards in his first game back from a hamstring injury. Outside of him, there are question marks about a consistent No. 2 option.
Currently, Jaylin Noel ranks second among receivers with 186 yards, but only has eight catches.
Tight end Dalton Schultz leads the way with 214 yards off 21 receptions, though 140 yards came in Week 2's loss against the Cincinnatti Bengals.
Houston kicks off on Sunday at Noon on CBS.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: LOOK: Texans WR Tank Dell returns to pracitce for first time in regular season
