May 4, 2025 | 9:56 PM EDT
Imago
Credit: Imago
Imago
Credit: Imago
Imago
Credit: Imago
Imago
Credit: Imago
On December 31, in a matchup against the Super Bowl runner-up, DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans were dealt tough news. C.J. Stroud had just fired a beautiful 30-yard touchdown pass to Tank Dell, but the celebration didn’t last long. Dell went down hard after colliding with teammate Jared Wayne. What followed was brutal: a dislocated knee and three torn ligaments for the 25-year-old from Daytona Beach. Now, the team expects him to return in 2025—but the real question is, will he?
In his two seasons with Stroud’s team, Dell has recorded 98 catches for 1,376 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. However, according to new reports, the Mainland High School graduate may miss the entire season due to the severity of his injury.
According to JPAFootball on X, the rumor is: “It’s more likely than not that #Texans WR Tank Dell misses all of the 2025 season as he works his way back from his gruesome knee injury,” per @jonmalexander. The Houston Chronicle reporter further wrote: “Dell will more than likely miss the 2025 season and be placed on the physically unable to perform list, given the nature of his knee injury and the timing of his ACL surgery, which took place just two months ago. The timetable for ACL injuries is typically six to 12 months. Dell also dislocated his knee, tore other ligaments, and damaged his meniscus.” That’s unfortunate.
𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: It’s more likely than not that #Texans WR Tank Dell missed all of the 2025 season as he works his way back from his gruesome knee injury, per @jonmalexander pic.twitter.com/zJ3ZevlSAO
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) May 4, 2025
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No question, CJ Stroud’s teammate, Dell, was a nightmare for NFL defenses. But with him sidelined through 2025, it’s a tough pill to swallow for Houston fans. Still, it looks like the Texans were ready for this. GM Nick Caserio seemed calm and confident when he said, “He’s had a good attitude. He’s been in here, honestly, probably seen him every day. So he’s in good spirits. He’s working hard. So you take it one day at a time, and when he’s ready, he’s ready.”
On the other hand, Tank Dell just took things to a whole new level. While recovering from that rough injury, he showed off a brand-new tattoo sleeve – this time on his leg. It runs from his thigh down to his foot, and it’s straight horror movie madness – the Ghostface, Michael Myers, Chucky, and even the Joker made the cut. He got it all done under anesthesia last month, which tells you how serious he was about it. His arms were already covered, but this one? It hits different. Now, fans just want to see him healthy again. But even with all eyes on his recovery, CJ Stroud and DeMeco Ryans made sure the Texans are still stacked, as they brought in a strong replacement to hold things down.
This rookie would be a great help to CJ Stroud?
With Tank Dell out, the Texans have rookie wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to play big for CJ Stroud. But that’s not all! DeMeco Ryans and the GM Nick Caserio tried to fix the issue by bringing in Minnesota wide receiver Daniel Jackson as an undrafted free agent.
According to Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic, “Jackson plays much bigger than his 5-10, 193-pound frame. He combines solid burst and great agility to be a crafty route runner, with the ability to make acrobatic catches and big plays downfield. He made 208 catches at Minnesota, No. 3 on the school’s all-time list.” Daniel Jackson knows the road ahead won’t be easy – but it’s wide open. With OTAs, mini-camp, and training camp all lined up, he’s got a real shot to break through.
Nothing’s guaranteed, but if he brings that same fire he showed at Minnesota – 75 catches, 863 yards, and four touchdowns – he just might carve out a spot on the 53-man roster, and help quarterback CJ Stroud. This is his moment to show up, stand out, and prove he belongs.
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