Here’s what Houston Texans, media aren’t saying about Tank Dell's recovery

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Here’s what Houston Texans, media aren’t saying about Tank Dell's recovery
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.

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The Angels beat the Astros, 3-0. Composite Getty Image.

José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.

There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.

Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.

Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.

He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.

Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.

Key moment

The home run by Peraza.

Key stat

It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.

Up next

LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.

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