Texans Rookie Wideout Tank Dell Undergoes Successful Surgery, Will Miss Rest Of Season

Houston Texans rookie receiver Tank Dell is set to miss the rest of the 2023 season following surgery on his broken left fibula. Dell got the injury while blocking during a touchdown run by running back Dameon Pierce. 

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was optimistic about Dell’s return.

“Who knows, man? He might be back playing (in the) Super Bowl. Try to be positive about it, but it’s tough. I’m hurt. I can’t sugarcoat it,” he said. 

However, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans shot down any notion that Dell could return from injury this season. 

“He’s been such an inspiration for our team, just an incredible young man,” Ryans said. “Happy for the season he had as a rookie and the impact he has as a person and a player for our organization.”

Ryans does expect to have Dell available for the off-season spring program.

“Tank has been very valuable to our team,” Ryans continued. “He has provided a spark to our team each and every week that he’s on the field. Everybody is just waiting for that moment. You know it’s going to happen when he shows up, and [then] he makes an explosive play for us, or he’s scoring a touchdown.”

Before his injury, Dell was one of the best rookie receivers in the NFL. He had 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns.