TankDell

News: 31 minutes agoTexans general manager Nick Caserio said Tuesday that Dell (knee) is getting "closer" to a return, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Spin: "He's close, he's not quite there," Caserio said. "He's closer than he was during training camp." Dell was placed on injured reserve with a designation for return to begin the season and will be required to miss at least the first four games. It's unclear if Dell will be ready to return when first eligible in Week 5 against the Titans. In the meantime, Nico Collins, Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel should see most of the snaps at wideout for Houston.

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.