TankDell

News: 7 hours agoDell (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Spin: Dell made his first practice appearance of the regular season, though he remains on injured reserve after his 21-day evaluation window was officially opened Wednesday. The Texans have been taking it easy with Dell as he works his way back from a severe multi-ligament left knee injury, which he sustained Dec. 21, 2024. Houston has plenty of opportunity for snaps and targets behind No. 1 receiver Nico Collins, but in order to stake his claim to a meaningful role once he's activated from IR at some point over the next three weeks, Dell will need to show in practices that he hasn't lost too much of his pre-injury speed and explosiveness.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Dell is on the comeback trail after suffering a devastating knee injury late in 2024 that cost him the entire 2025 season. It was a tough break for the 2023 third-round pick, who finished 18th among receivers in fantasy PPG as a rookie. While he wasn't quite as productive the next season, he was on pace for career highs in catches and yardage. The undersized Dell is certainly a question mark off the major injury, but, with Jayden Higgins out for the 2026 season, he has a path back to a role behind Nico Collins at some point this year. The 26-year-old will begin on injured reserve, but he'll be a fine end-of-bench stash once activated.