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.