Here’s what Houston Texans, media aren’t saying about Tank Dell's recovery
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10 May 2024
Will Tank Dell be ready when the season begins? Composite Getty Image.
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.
Expectations
The Texans are favored to win the AFC South for a third straight season with a team led by young stars quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson. Stroud’s strong first two years helped the Texans turn things around and this year they’ll try to reach the playoffs in three straight seasons for the first time in franchise history. Stroud will be directing a new offense led by first-time offensive coordinator Nick Caley, who took over after Bobby Slowik was fired this offseason following Houston’s loss to the Chiefs in the divisional round. General manager Nick Caserio also beefed up the team’s receiving corps, led by Nico Collins, by adding veteran Christian Kirk and drafting Jayden Higgins in the second round and Jaylin Noel in the third. Coach DeMeco Ryans has vowed the offensive line will be better this season after Stroud was sacked 52 times last season, which was second-most in the league. But it’s difficult to see how his protection will be better after they traded left tackle Laremy Tunsil and didn’t make any big moves to replace him. Defensively, Anderson should take another step forward in his second year playing with veteran Danielle Hunter after the third-overall pick in the 2023 draft had 17 sacks combined in his first two seasons. Cornerback Derek Stingley returns to lead a talented young secondary after earning first team AP All-Pro honors last season when he had five interceptions and defended 18 passes.
New faces
OC Nick Caley, WR Jayden Higgins, WR Christian Kirk, WR Jaylin Noel, LT Cam Robinson, RB Nick Chubb, RT Aireontae Ersery, LG Laken Tomlinson, C Jake Andrews.
Key losses
LT Laremy Tunsil, WR John Metchie III, G Kenyon Green, TE Brevin Jordan, CB Eric Murray, WR Robert Woods, CB Kris Boyd.
Strengths
Stroud and Houston’s stacked receiving group should be the stars of the team this season. The 2023 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year has been great in his first two seasons to bring the Texans back into contention after an awful stretch. His interception rate was up last season but he’s looking for improvement this season in Caley’s offense, which he has described as “exciting.” He’ll have plenty of strong targets to throw to, led by Collins, who had a second straight 1,000-yard season last year despite missing five games with injuries. He’ll be joined by Kirk, who should fill in at the slot with Tank Dell likely to miss all season recovering from an injury he suffered in December. Higgins and Noel come to Houston after combining for 2,377 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns last season at Iowa State.
Weaknesses
It’s hard to see how the offensive line will be improved this season with Tunsil gone to Washington. Though he was penalty-prone, he was the team’s most consistent lineman. They completely revamped the line after his trade and return just one starter from last year’s group. They’ll likely rely on rookie Ersery to protect Stroud’s blind side after taking him in the second round of the draft. He started 38 games at left tackle over three seasons at Minnesota. Veteran Tytus Howard returns at right tackle after starting 16 games there last season. The center is Jake Andrews in his first year in Houston and he returns after missing all of last season with an injury before being released by the Patriots. Left guard Laken Tomlinson and right guard Ed Ingram are also new to the team.
Camp development
Houston’s secondary sustained a big blow in camp when safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered a leg injury. The injury isn’t season-ending but he is likely to miss significant time. Gardner-Johnson is in his first year in Houston after he was acquired from the Eagles in March in exchange for left guard Kenyon Green. He was expected to be the team’s starting free safety after the Texans lost Eric Murray in free agency to the Jaguars. The Texans will also be without backup Jimmie Ward indefinitely after he was placed on the commissioner exempt list Tuesday as he faces a felony domestic violence charge after a June arrest.
Fantasy player to watch
Collins should have another big year after finishing with more than 1,000 yards receiving in each of the last two seasons. He’s had 15 touchdowns combined in the last two seasons despite missing seven games with injuries.
BetMGM Sportsbook
Win Super Bowl: 35-1.
