Here’s what Houston Texans, media aren’t saying about Tank Dell's recovery
MORE TO THE STORY
10 May
MORE TO THE STORY
Earlier this week, Cal and Hannah McNair discussed Tank Dell's recovery from a gunshot wound he sustained in late April. Dell is expected to make a full recovery, but he will have to rehab to get back to where he was before his most recent injury.
They also talked about their conversations with Tank being private.
“That’s a hard situation to be in. I think that’s something we’ll talk about privately. In any situation in life, you’re going to learn something from it,” said Hannah McNair.
That quote caught our attention because Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson said something similar about “learning from it” on his podcast with Shannon Sharpe after texting with Dell.
From all accounts, Tank was a victim that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. And the venue he was at wasn't your typical nightclub. It appears to be a more family oriented restaurant with swimming pools, cabanas, and TVs to watch sporting events, according to the website. Their motto is, “Eat. Drink. Swim. Sports.” Dell was reportedly there for a private event.
Which made us wonder if Johnson was victim blaming, or if he had other reasons to make that statement. We don't know who was hosting the event, who was invited, or how a sixteen-year-old was able to bring a gun into the establishment. To be fair, most restaurant/sports bars don't check people for weapons at the door. So all of this is pure speculation that we won't get into.
But we did find these comments curious. Obviously, the most important takeaway is that no one was seriously injured, and Tank should make a full recovery.
Let's get to how this impacts the team on the field.
This injury appears to be a little more serious than many initially believed. According to KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson's sources, Dell suffered “a flesh wound that went through one side of the leg and exited through the other side.” So this wasn't a glancing blow. Fortunately, it appears he “avoided structural damage to the leg.”
Wilson's sources are also saying they expect Dell “to be cleared for physical activity at some point this spring and is expected to make a full recovery in advance of training camp in July.”
If this is accurate, that means Dell will likely miss mandatory mini-camp, which begins on June 4. If that's the case, Tank's absence could provide more reps for newly acquired receiver Stefon Diggs. Along with the rest of the Texans receiving corps that's returning everyone from 2023.
Here's something else to keep an eye on. When asked if Dell would be ready for Week 1, The Associated Press reported that Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans refused "to directly answer the question.” DeMeco was also asked whether Dell would miss practice time, and again deflected.
“I’ve answered all that about Tank — he’ll be all right,” Ryans said.
There could be several reasons for how Ryans addressed these questions. Here are a few possibilities. One, it's a medical issue that has nothing to do with a football injury. Two, this injury could keep Dell from starting the season on time. Three, Ryans doesn't have to give injury reports in the offseason, and doesn't want to reveal information to opponents for competitive reasons. The NFL schedule will be out next week, and teams start preparing for their Week 1 opponents months ahead of time. Why tip your hand on Tank's availability for Week 1 when you don't have to?
Whatever the case may be, we have to treat this injury with the seriousness it deserves. This isn't an action movie, being shot through the leg, especially for a receiver who depends on speed and quickness, will take some time to fully heal.
And we know how much CJ Stroud thinks of Dell, and his impact on the offense. When Stroud selected his “Perfect Offense” recently, the only Texans receiver he drafted was Dell. So we know what he means to Stroud, and the team's chances of taking another step forward in 2024.
Just don't be surprised if Tank needs a little more time to back to full speed. He's working his way back from two significant injuries (broken fibula, gunshot flesh wound).
There's so much more to the story! Be sure to watch the video above for the full breakdown.
The New England Patriots are turning things over to Drake Maye, and his first shot will come against the AFC South-leading Houston Texans.
The first-round draft pick is replacing Jacoby Brissett as the starter in the hopes that he can snap the Patriots’ four-game losing streak. But he’ll have to do it against one of the NFL's toughest defenses.
“There’s never a perfect time to make a change,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said this week after announcing the swap. “Every defense that we play ... they all have the ability to rush and get after the quarterback. So, I don’t think there’s ever a perfect time.”
But the Texans (4-1) will pose an especially difficult challenge for Maye and the makeshift New England (1-4) offensive line that has started five different combinations in five games. Houston pressures the quarterback more than any other team in the league – 42% of dropbacks, according to NFL NextGen stats.
“It’s probably going to be a little nervous at the beginning,” Maye said this week. “I think once we settle down, we have a chance to move the football and just have fun out there. ... That’s what this game is about: Don’t make it too big or the spotlight too big. Just go out there with those guys that we’ve been battling for three months since training camp, go out there and try to make some plays.”
After winning the opener and going to overtime in Week 2, the Patriots were blown out by the Jets and 49ers and lost 15-10 to Miami, another of the NFL’s worst teams. In all, Brissett has completed 79 of 135 passes for 696 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said there’s a challenge in facing an unknown such as Maye, who was 4 of 8 for 22 yards in mopup duty against the New York Jets in Week 3.
“What I’ve seen is a young, athletic quarterback who has a live arm, can move around really well in the pocket, can escape the pressures,” Ryans said. “Them, making that move, (they’re) looking for a spark for their offense, and he can provide it.”
Houston’s running game could get a boost with the return of Dameon Pierce.
The third-year pro hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring in the season opener. But he has been practicing this week and Ryans said he expects him to play Sunday.
Pierce, who ran for 939 yards as a rookie in 2022, should improve a rushing attack which ranks 23rd in the NFL by averaging just 104.2 yards a game.
Stroud is excited to have Pierce back on the field.
“It is really big, I am very happy for DP,” he said. “He has worked really hard to come back.”
KPRC2's Aaron Wilson is reporting that Joe Mixon could return this week as well, he practiced on Thursday and Friday.
#Texans running back Joe Mixon practicing again Friday and is trending toward being available Sunday against Patriots. pic.twitter.com/dUsmfsamq0
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 11, 2024
Mixon has been out since injuring his ankle against the Bears in Week 2.
Houston kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn earned AFC special teams player of the week honors for the second time this season on Wednesday.
Fairbairn’s 59-yard field goal as time expired lifted the Texans to the victory over the Bills.
It was his eighth field goal this season of at least 50 yards, which is the most in NFL history through the first five games of a season. It’s also the most 50-yarders made in a season in franchise history.
“It’s comforting for everyone to know wherever we are, (Ka’imi) can make a play,” Ryans said.
Fairbairn loves being in those high-pressure situations.
“Whatever yardage it is, I really don’t care. I want that shot,” he said. “I think part of being good at this job is ... wanting that opportunity.”