Tag: Tank Dell

Watch: Texans RB Joe Mixon doubles up on TD vs. Cowboys

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon scored his second touchdown of the opening quarter against the Dallas Cowboys.

In less than 15 minutes, Joe Mixon has found the end zone twice.

Mixon nearly scored on the play before but bounced outside after the inside handoff for the 1-yard touchdown run. The best player has both of the Houston Texans’ touchdowns to start the game.

In eight games, Mixon has scored multiple touchdowns in three of them. Mixon now has nine rushing touchdowns this season, matching his total from a year ago with Cincinnati.

Mixon’s career-high for rushing touchdowns is 13, set in 2021. Houston’s running back is seeking to become the first Texan to rush for over 1,000 yards since Carlos Hyde in 2019, also the last season Houston played on Monday night.

Houston held a double-digit lead a week ago against the Lions, before losing on a last-second field goal.

Mixon has 62 yards on seven carries. Tank Dell got involved with a 26-yard reception.

Tank Dell injury update: Will Texans WR play in Week 10 ‘SNF’ showdown vs. Lions?

Tank Dell is dealing with a back injury entering Sunday’s matchup against the Detroit Lions.

The Houston Texans are getting healthy at the right time.

While the AFC South favorites will be without All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs for the remainder of the season, they are getting back defensive back Jimmie Ward and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.

But the Texans saw an unfamiliar face on the injury report Friday afternoon. Second-year receiver Tank Dell appeared on the injury report with a back injury.  

Will Dell be cleared to return to action, or will the Texans hold him out until he is as close to 100% as possible? Here’s what to know about the No. 2 receiver’s injury and status for Week 10.

Tank Dell injury update

Dell, who was healthy throughout the week, was listed on the injury report for the first time on Friday afternoon. He was limited during the walk-through and was listed as questionable in the final injury report. 

With Diggs out, Dell stepped up as the No. 1 target in a 21-13 loss against the New York Jets, hauling in six passes for 126 yards. Robert Woods was the only receiver to catch another pass as C.J. Stroud was sacked a career-high eight times. 

Dell, who suffered a season-ending leg injury last year, has already missed a game this season after leaving late in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings.

Will Tank Dell play Week 10 vs. Lions?

According to KPRC2 Sports‘ Aaron Wilson, Dell is expected to play against the Lions after being added to the injury report. Fellow receiver Nico Collins is expected to be a game-time decision after being activated from the injury report on Saturday afternoon. 

This season, Dell has been hit-or-miss, though he’s trending upward following his breakout performance against the Jets. In eight games, the former Houston Cougars star has notched 30 catches for 355 yards and two touchdowns. 

Texans WR depth chart

With Collins technically still sidelined and Diggs on the season-ending injured reserve, here’s a look at the Texans receiving depth chart entering Week 10.

  • Tank Dell
  • Robert Woods
  • John Metchie III
  • Xavier Hutchinson
  • Steven Sims

Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik praised Dell’s performance after taking over as the leading receiver last Thursday.

Since Diggs’ departure, Dell has collected 10 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown on 13 targets.

“He took advantage of some matchups, and some plays worked out where we had given him plenty of opportunities in the last three or four weeks,” Slowik said. “Sometimes, you can’t control the coverage.” 

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on NBC. 

Will Texans WR Nico Collins play on Sunday vs. Lions?

Nico Collins is inching closer back to playing and recently received a positive update surrounding his hamstring.

Nico Collins is eligible to come off the injured reserve just in time for the Houston Texans’ Week 10 showdown against the Detroit Lions.

Will he? According to one report, it’s possible.

According to KPRC2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Collins has passed multiple tests for his hamstring injury suffered against the Buffalo Bills with zero setbacks. He’s also regained his speed and mobility, running up to 20 mph on the treadmill.

Houston, which is coming off a 21-13 loss against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football, needs to find a stable No. 2 weapon.

Tank Dell took over as the team’s top weapon, hauling in six passes for 126 yards, but he struggled while working behind Stefon Diggs in Collins’ absence.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the team would “monitor” Collins throughout the week before determining if he’s ready to come off the injured list. The fourth-year pass-catcher didn’t practice Wednesday.

Once the Texans activate Collins’ 21-day window, they’ll have time to rest the hamstring before reaching a decision. If all goes according to plan, Houston could have Collin back no later than Monday night’s showdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

Before leaving against the Bills, Collins was leading the NFL with 567 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He also ranked third in receptions with 32 and was averaging 18.9 yards per catch.

Much like when Joe Mixon was sidelined, Houston’s offense has been built around a consistent focal point. Collins, who signed a three-year extension in the offseason, finished with three outings of at least 100 yards and six catches during Mixon’s absence.

Since his departure, the Texans have leaned on Mixon, who recently became the team’s first running back since Arian Foster to rush for over 100 yards and at least one touchdown in four consecutive games.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.

Texans Wire’s Week 9 Player of the Game: WR Tank Dell

Tank Dell recored his first 100-yard game of the 2024 season on Thursday Night Football against the New York Jets.

In a heartbreaking loss, someone has to stand out.

On Thursday night, that was Houston Texans second-year receiver Tank Dell.

Dell secured season-highs in receptions (six) and receiving yards (126) as the Texans fell at MetLife Stadium to the New York Jets, 21-13.

While the former third-round pick never found his way into the end zone, Dell got his groove back after an underwhelming beginning to the season.

Over three hours, the former No. 2 target proved his No. 1 threat potential for C.J. Stroud in the absence of Pro Bowler receiver Stefon Diggs and go-to option Nico Collins.

Dell averaged 22 yards per catch. He caught three passes over 20 yards downfield, including a 50-yard reception midway through the third quarter to get the Texans down at midfield.

Outside of Dell, Stroud had little to work with in the passing game. Dalton Schultz and Robert Woods combined for 65 yards on catches. Five others were targeted but never recorded a reception.

Dell came close to securing his third touchdown reception of the regular season, but All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner was flagged for a pass interference call. Stroud never connected with Dell again on the drive, but Houston managed to score on a 3-yard touchdown run from Joe Mixon.

Diggs, who suffered a torn ACL in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, is out for the year. Collins, who’s been on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury, should be back in time for Week 10’s matchup against the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football.

Houston needs a secondary option and Dell showed his rookie season was more than a one-hit wonder. Last year, the Houston product totaled 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games.

After Thursday’s performance, Dell has collected 30 receptions through eight games. He now has 355 yards and two touchdowns.

For Dell’s rebounding performance against one of the NFL’s better secondaries, he’s Texans Wire’s Player of the Game for Week 9.

He joins Mixon, Diggs, Collins, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, defensive end Danielle Hunter and linebacker Neville Hewitt as a recipient of the weekly honor.

How did Tank Dell got his nickname? Here’s the hilarious story.

Here’s the story behind that nickname.

Tank Dell, as you may know, wasn’t born with that first name.

No, the Houston Texans wideout was named Nathaniel Dell, but he’s going by Tank in his NFL career.

And if you’re here, you might be wondering: where did that nickname come from?

We have an answer, and it’s a funny story that he told The Pivot Podcast: “I had a big head, that’s what it was. My momma said I had a tank head when I was younger. So she started calling me that probably when I was only like one years old. Then my whole family picked up on it. And my friends came around, they started hearing ‘Tank come here, Tank come here.'”

He added that he hates “Nathaniel” so Tank it is!

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Watch: Texans WR Tank Dell finally scores TD vs. Colts

Tank Dell is back in the end zone for the Houston Texans as C.J. Stroud’s go-to target.

Tank Dell needed a big game to better his morale after an underwhelming performance in Week 7.

He’s only totaled two catches in the first half of Week 8, but one has been the difference between a tie and a victory for the Houston Texans.

Dell hauled in a 7-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to break the 10-10 tie with 17 seconds remaining in the first half. The score marked his second touchdown of the regular season and the first touchdown at NRG Stadium this season.

With just under two minutes remaining, the Texans’ defense forced Anthony Richardson to throw into double coverage on third-and-long. Jalen Pitre jumped a pass intended for Josh Downs to put Houston in the red zone.

One play later, No. 7 found No. 3 to make the 7-1-3 erupt.

Earlier this week, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans mentioned how Dell needed to create an opportunity for himself to score.

“I believe in Tank, believe he’ll be able to make some big-time explosive plays for us,” Ryans said Monday. “He just has to keep going and he will do that. I have all the faith in Tank.”

Right now, the Texans lead by seven because of one play from the guy who needed it most.

Is Tank Dell’s breakout game for the Texans coming in Week 8?

The Houston Texans need a breakout game from Tank Dell and Sunday might be his time to shine against the Indianapolis Colts.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The Houston Texans need more from second-year receiver Tank Dell if they plan on winning more than just the AFC South division title.

DeMeco Ryans knows this.

C.J. Stroud knows this.

Dell knows it, too. All three are equally responsible for his sophomore slump entering the regular season’s halfway point.

“I believe in Tank, believe he’ll be able to make some big-time explosive plays for us,” Ryans said in preparation for Sunday’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. “He just has to keep going and he will do that. I have all the faith in Tank.”

After securing the most touchdowns in franchise history for a rookie, Dell has been dormant in the passing game. Initially, Nico Collins’ immense production played a factor, but the top target has been on the injured reserve for two weeks.

Stefon Diggs has taken over as the new No. 1. Dell, who last season caught 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns, hasn’t taken over his promotion at the secondary option, recording just 20 catches for 194 yards and one touchdown.

In Sunday’s loss against the Green Bay Packers, Dell didn’t record a reception. He was only targeted four times and dropped a pair of passes, including one on the opening drive that would have gone for a touchdown.

On third-and-15, Stroud tried to find Dell again, but the ball was out of bounds. Even if the former University of Houston star caught it, the Texans would have faced a fourth-and-long situation.

Stroud praised Dell for keeping a positive attitude despite his postgame frustrations. He admitted the play-calling the need to “get the rock” more early and often to Dell whenever he’s open.

“I am really proud of him how he approached today and how he approached yesterday having an off day and Monday after the game,” Stroud said Wednesday. “Just trying to get better in the weight room and just checking on him and making sure he is in high spirits and he does the same thing for me.”

Sunday could be a chance for Dell to break out. The Colts rank 27th in pass coverage, allowing 222.1 yards per game. They’ve also allowed 10 touchdowns while giving up a passer rating of 98.3.

Much like Houston being down Collins, Indianapolis will be without top cover corner JuJu Brents. Diggs, who leads the team in reception, will draw a matchup against Jaylon Jones, while Dell should mirror former 49ers defensive back Samuel Womack.

Ryans isn’t pressuring Dell to deliver, but if there was a game to step up, Sunday would be a prime moment.

“With Tank, he just has to keep going,” Ryans said.

Kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.

Watch: Texans WR Tank Dell haul in first TD of the season

The Houston Texans are on the board first after Tank Dell found the end zone for the first time this season.

What a way to start in Foxborough.

The Houston Texans are on the board first thanks to a 2-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to Tank Dell. The score was Dell’s first of the season after reaching the end zone seven times in 10 games as a rookie.

Stroud finished the drive 5-of-6 for 54 yards with a touchdown. With Nico Collins sidelined for four weeks, Houston’s quarterback connected with Stefon Diggs twice for 24 yards.

https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/1845513169176870991

Stroud also found Dell twice for a gain of 20 before setting up the score.

Houston received assistance from New England when the Patriots committed pass interference on Dalton Schultz on third-and-goal. The Texans paid off the penalty with the seven points two plays later.

Houston also saw the return of running back Joe Mixon, who had five carries for seven yards. Houston’s drive lasted 11 plays and 5:47 over 65 yards.

Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who is making his debut will no have to play from behind.

Texans reveal final injury report before Week 5 showdown vs. Bills

Here’s the final injury report for Sunday’s showdown between the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills

The Houston Texans won’t be at full speed on offense Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, but at least one key target for C.J. Stroud will return to the huddle.

Receiver Tank Dell is expected to play against the 3-1 Bills after clearing Friday’s injury report. The second-year receiver suffered a chest injury in Week 3’s loss against the Minnesota Vikings and didn’t play in Sunday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and rookie tackle Blake Fisher also were full participants in practice, meaning they’ll suit up in what could be a battle for second place among AFC contenders in 2024.

The addition of Dell should benefit Houston’s passing game. Despite being limited in the first two matchups, Dell caught a season-high five passes for 62 yards against the Vikings.

Everyone, including Buffalo, knows how lethal Dell’s speed is in space after a breakout rookie season. In 12 games, the third-round pick out of Houston totaled 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns.

Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon is out for the third consecutive game with an ankle injury, according to the injury report. Once again, Mxion did not run drills during Friday’s drills.

Mixon, who broke out Week 1’s win over the Colts, has barely practiced since being rolled upon in Week 2’s victory over the Bears. He returned to practice last week for the team’s walkthrough but was later ruled out early Sunday morning.

Fellow running back Dameon Pierce returned to the practice after dealing with a hamstring injury, but his status is unknown. He’s yet to take reps, meaning even if he was cleared, Houston would probably have him serve as a rotational back at best.

The Texans turn back to a combination of Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale as the lead runners on Sunday. Both scored touchdowns with Mixon sidelined, but each came on passes from C.J. Stroud.

Akers, a former second-round pick, had the best performance in a Texans’ uniform last week after rushing for 53 yards on 13 carries.

Defensive end  Jerry Hughes (hip) and Derek Barnett (shoulder) were also ruled out for Sunday’s contest, meaning the Texans could elevate either Kurt Hinish or Dylan Horton to the active roster. Both were cleared to return to practice earlier this week after being taken off the injured list.

Right tackle Tytus Howard also missed Friday’s walkthrough. He appeared on the injury report with a hamstring issue. Should be miss Sunday’s game, the Texans likely turn to Fisher, a natural right tackle who saw reps last week at left tackle after Tunsil left the game in the second quarter.

Kickoff against the Bills is scheduled for noon CT at NRG Stadium.

Texans vs. Jaguars: RB Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce out

The Houston Texans will have their top receiver but will be down a few starters in their meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Houston Texans offense will have its No. 1 wide receiver.

Nico Collins, who leads the league in receiving yards, will play Sunday, despite popping up on the injury report Thursday with a hamstring injury. Collins told media he would be playing after logging a full practice on Friday.

Houston was already without Tank Dell, who suffered bruised ribs in last week’s contest against the Minnesota Vikings.

With Dell sidelined former second-round pick John Metchie III will make his season debut. Metchie hauled in 10 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown in the preseason.

Xavier Hutchinson and Robert Woods have been the only other receivers to rotate in on offense in place of Stefon Diggs, Dell or Collins this season. It’s unclear, who will play the most in three wide receiver sets.

Veteran safety Jimmie Ward failed to practice on Thursday and Friday, eventually leading the team to rule him out. Rookie safety Calen Bullock, who’s playing time was increasing, will make his first NFL start.

Houston’s defense received a boost with the active status of interior defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi, who was limited throughout the week with a shoulder injury. Fatukasi was a member of the Jaguars last season and will get a chance to play his former team.

Other players unavailable for Sunday’s game include sixth-round pick Jamal Hill and depth offensive lineman Nick Broeker.