Texans WR Dell to play Sunday in 1st game since major 2024 knee injury

• 

  DJ Bien-AimeOct 19, 2026, 04:21 PM ET

  Close

  DJ Bien-Aime covers the Houston Texans for ESPN. He joined ESPN in July of 2022 after covering the New York Jets for the New York Daily News. He's a former athlete who finished his college career at Louisville. You can catch DJ on ESPN Radio on his show "Talkin' Texans."

HOUSTON -- Texans wide receiver Tank Dell will return to the field against the New York Giants on Sunday after a 22-month hiatus, coach DeMeco Ryans announced Monday.

It will be the first game for Dell since the 2023 third-round pick missed all of the 2025 season after he suffered multiple torn ligaments and a dislocated kneecap in the Texans' Week 16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in December 2024.

"No huge expectations from what he needs to do," Ryans said. "I'm just going to be excited to see him just out there for the first time in over two years, just getting some game action. So, I'm just thankful and grateful for him to have this opportunity to return. I don't have any expectations. I'm just happy to see him out there, and that's the only thing that matters."

Dell started the 2026 season on injured reserve when Houston made its 53-man roster cuts. He wasn't on the physically unable to perform list to start training camp but throughout camp he only took part in individual drills.

But Dell wasn't close to returning to game action during camp because there were only two days when he participated in team drills and only one was in pads -- on Aug. 10. But two weeks ago, his practice window opened and he has practiced with no setbacks.

Dell returns to a wide receivers' room featuring Nico Collins, Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Kayson Boutte. The Texans are 2-4 but earned a divisional win in London on Sunday against the first-place Jacksonville Jaguars.