Houston Texans star practices in pads for first time in nearly two years after 2024 career-threatening injury
The snapshot of Tank Dell crumpled in that end zone and desperately pointing at his dislocated knee in December of 2024 is something to recall but not relive because it was horrible to witness.
Dell, 26, hasn't played football since that moment, raising concerns he'd never play again and amid the echoes of naysayers predicting he'd never be the same.
But Tank Dell's comeback is on. And on Wednesday that long journey took a significant step when he stepped on an NFL practice field with his teammates in full pads for the first time at Houston Texans training camp.
ONE OF NFL'S FASTEST PLAYERS HAS 'NO POWER' IN ONE INJURED LEG, CASTING DOUBTS ON 2026 SEASON
Dell worked during significant parts of practice, although he took some periods and drills off. Yes, this return that has Dell playing for the first time since 2024 is a process.
And neither he nor anyone else in the Texans' organization is ready to make bold predictions about the comeback other than stating the goal is competing in 2026.
That's understandable if you know the history
While catching a touchdown pass against the Kansas City Chiefs, Dell collided with teammate Jared Wayne, causing his left knee to buckle violently beneath him.
Doctors ultimately determined Dell dislocated his knee, tore multiple major knee ligaments, ruptured his patellar tendon, suffered significant damage to the meniscus and surrounding soft tissue, and sustained a vascular injury that required emergency surgery to restore blood flow to his lower leg.
The severity of the damage spoke for itself: Dell's career seemed on the brink.
For a receiver like Dell, whose game is built on sudden acceleration, sharp cuts, and change of direction, the challenge of returning to form is daunting. Even after doctors clear such a player to resume football activities, rebuilding confidence in the repaired knee, restoring strength and flexibility, and withstanding the physical demands of NFL competition can take years – if it happens at all.
Dell has made steady progress through his rehabilitation, but his recovery has been viewed as one of the league's most difficult injury comebacks because of the extraordinary extent of the damage.
"It’s been a roller coaster ride, to say the least," Dell said when he spoke to reporters in June. "It’s been a long journey, but I’m built for it, and I’m ready for it, and I was ready for it.
"I’m getting through it, and it’s light at the end of the tunnel, so I’m almost there."
Not quite.
Dell's ramp-up to a game is not one step or even one week away. The Texans have been deliberate in ordering his return and the next step is seeing how he reacts to Wednesday's practice – checking whether there's pain, swelling, discomfort.
If Dell clears that hurdle, then he'll practice again. And again. And again.
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Eventually, barring a setback, Dell might get snaps in a preseason game. Then, if he clears that, the regular-season beckons.
The Texans open the regular season on Sept. 13 against the Buffalo Bills at home against the Buffalo Bills. That's seemingly a long way away.
But Tank Dell got one significant step closer on Wednesday.