The Texans are 0-4, and the offense has sputtered at times and they are in need of a playmaker. While the team could be active at the trade deadline, they also have some potential reinforcements coming from the IR. WR Tank Dell is working his way back from a major injury almost two full years ago. Dell was a dynamic force before the injury, but is he someone you should consider stashing for your fantasy football team?
Let’s dive in and take a look at Dell’s history of production, his injury, and his fantasy outlook for the rest of the season. Dell does make sense as an IR stash in deep leagues if he’s still available on the waiver wire, and he at least makes sense as a key player to watch as he works his way back.
Tank Dell’s Background and Injury
Tank Dell was a third-round pick by the Texans out of Houston in 2023. The rookie speedster burst onto the fantasy football stage with 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games. His season was cut short, though, by a fractured fibula, suffered in Week 13 against Denver.
He returned the following season and had 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games, but again his season was abbreviated. He made a heroic 30-yard touchdown catch in Week 16 against the Chiefs, but he collided with his teammate Jared Wayne and Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie.
His leg was rolled up in the pile, and he suffered a dislocated kneecap, torn ACL, MCL, LCL, and meniscus damage. Due to the extent of the damage, not only did that catastrophic injury cost him the rest of 2024, but he also missed the entire 2025 season.
He was initially hopeful to return at the start of this season, but his recovery wasn’t quite far enough along, so the team started him on IR, meaning he was forced to miss the first four weeks of the season.
Dell’s practice window was opened this week, and he returned to running routes in practice. He was officially listed as limited, and he could be on track for a return relatively soon.
He may need to ramp up after missing almost two years, although the videos from camp and training still show he has the explosiveness to be a factor in Houston’s offense.
Tank Dell Fantasy Football Outlook
Dell was a big-play threat with game-changing speed before the injury, but he will likely need some time to get back to full speed. If he does, though, the team should be able to find playing time for him since no one besides Nico Collins has really stood out in Houston’s offense through the first four weeks.
Collins missed two of those four games, and Kayshon Boutte, Jaylin Noel, and Xavier Hutchinson all got some extra work while he was out. Each of those options had some production, but none went off and dominated to the point where they would play ahead of Dell once he’s healthy.
Dell could be the team’s second WR and get plenty of targets. If he brings his big-play ability and nose for the end zone, he could be a fantasy starter relatively quickly as well.
The Bottom Line: Stash Tank Dell in Deep Leagues
After such a major injury and extended recovery, there is still lots of risk involved in Dell’s return. He has the potential and the path to playing time to be a great pickup, though, if you can stash him and wait for his return. If he is in action as soon as this week, it would be surprising, although he is in the player pool at just $3,400 for this week’s DFS contests like the NFL $2.75M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st] on DraftKings. The range of possible outcomes for Dell this season is vast, but he does bring undeniable upside and excitement as he tries to complete his remarkable comeback.
