Tank Dell finished Sunday’s 44-22 win over the Los Angeles Chargers with four catches for 105 yards and a 63-yard touchdown. It was only his second game back from the knee injury that cost him the rest of 2024 and all of 2025. The touchdown was his first in 687 days, going back to December 21, 2024, in Kansas City. It was also his first 100-yard game since October 31, 2024.
“I’m blessed. I’m grateful. I thank God,” Dell said after the game at SoFi Stadium. “A lot of things I had to overcome, but God was on my side the whole time, so I just felt blessed, man.” He said he “cracked a smile” as he finished the touchdown run.
The 63-yard touchdown
Houston led 10-9 midway through the second quarter when the Texans got the ball back with about five minutes left in the half. On the second play of the drive, Dell ran a deep route down the right sideline, got behind his defender and caught C.J. Stroud’s throw in stride, then went the rest of the way untouched with 4:28 left in the half. That made it 17-9, and Houston led 24-9 at halftime.
DeMeco Ryans gave most of the credit for the play to his quarterback. “Credit to C.J. first and foremost,” the Texans coach said. “Like, the ball placement on that play was insane. Outstanding ball placement, and Tank just ran underneath it. Huge play. So proud of both guys getting that connection going. Excited to see how that continues to progress throughout the year.” He added that Dell “deserves it for all the work that he’s put in.”
Two yards short, then 100
Dell added a 32-yard catch from Stroud early in the fourth quarter, which left him two yards short of 100, according to the official play-by-play. By the time the Texans led 41-22 late in the game, they had pulled Stroud and most of their starters, but Dell stayed in. With 4:18 to play, Davis Mills threw his first pass of the day short to the left for Dell, who gained 7 yards and went over 100. It was Mills’ only completion. On the sideline, Stroud was celebrating with Dell moments later.
Dell had nine targets, the most on the team, and he also returned punts. Ryans listed him among the Texans’ game-ball winners, along with Kayshon Boutte (125 yards and two touchdowns), Stroud, the defensive line, which tied the franchise record with eight sacks, and offensive coordinator Nick Caley. “Tank being back, getting 100 yards and a touchdown,” Ryans said. Our game recap covers the rest of the win.
Stroud: “That’s crazy. But for him, it’s not”
Stroud and Dell came into the league together in 2023, Stroud as the No. 2 overall pick and Dell in the third round. Stroud was asked what it was like to connect with Dell “like the old days.” “Yeah, it was great, man. I’m just super proud of him,” Stroud said. “He’s been through a lot these last couple of years, and just the perseverance, you know, the faith that he has in God.” He said he always tells Dell that God “is never going to leave you or forsake you.”
“Just to see him get 100 yards second game back, like, off a crazy injury, like, that’s crazy,” Stroud said. “But for him, it’s not. Like, that’s the type of confidence we have in Tank. He’s a heck of a football player and showed it today.” Stroud threw for 384 yards and five touchdowns, even though he said he was sick all week and barely practiced.
“A lot of dark days”
Dell got hurt in Kansas City on December 21, 2024. He tore several ligaments in his left knee and dislocated his kneecap. He missed all of 2025, started this season on injured reserve and was activated before the Texans played the New York Giants in Week 7. He played only 11 offensive snaps in that game but turned his one catch into a 43-yard gain, and afterward he said, “I’m a playmaker, man” (our story from that game). In two games back, he has five catches for 148 yards.
Ryans said Sunday’s game showed the work people did not see. “All the credit goes to Tank, man, for the work that he put in. He was ready for his moment,” he said. “Tank is, he’s never shy of confidence. He’s a confident young man. He knows his ability. He believes in himself. He put the work in, and he was ready for this opportunity.” He went on: “When you go through an injury like he suffered, there are a lot of dark days. There are a lot of difficult moments on the road to recovery. A lot of people don’t see that.”
Ryans said everyone on the Houston sideline was emotional watching Dell “come in and actually be an impact player.” The Texans are 3-5 and have won three of their last four games. Their next game is at the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, November 15, at 1 p.m. ET, which is 8 p.m. in Cairo.
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