It’s been a difficult year for the Houston Texans, especially at the offensive skill positions. Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Stefon Diggs, and Joe Mixon have all missed games this year.
Diggs is done for the season. Dell had been the healthiest of the bunch but appears to have picked up a back injury at Friday’s practice. What is the latest on Dell’s status for Sunday Night Football against the Detroit Lions?
What Is Tank Dell’s Injury?
We have very little information regarding the nature of Dell’s injury. In fact, the only information we have is Friday’s practice report which says the issue is with his back.
On Wednesday and Thursday, Dell wasn’t listed at all. In fact, he looked perfectly fine at Thursday’s practice. That heavily suggests the injury occurred at Friday’s practice.
#Texans wide receiver Tank Dell @Tankdell4 @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/TfTolI2uV7
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 7, 2024
Is Dell Playing This Week?
We haven’t gotten any news from the team or beat reporters regarding Dell since his back injury was revealed. All we have to go on is experience evaluating these sorts of things.
While no injury is good, one to the back is not nearly as concerning as, say, a soft tissue injury. It’s certainly possible Dell is dealing with some soreness, and Houston took the safe route by including him on the injury report to avoid any potential punishment from the league for failing to properly disclose an injury.
Fortunately, we did get an update on Saturday from KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson that Dell is expected to play.
Sources: #Texans wide receiver Tank Dell expected to play against #Lions @SundayNightFB despite back injury, questionable listing @KPRC2 @UHCougarFB https://t.co/aWEJ1a9Ujn
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 9, 2024
Ahead of Saturday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline, the Texans activated Collins from injured reserve but did not elevate any receivers from the practice squad. This indicates Dell’s appearance on the injury report is likely precautionary, and Wilson’s report is most likely accurate.
Expect Dell to suit up against the Lions on Sunday night.
How Might Dell’s Absence Impact the Texans if Ruled Out?
If both Dell and Collins end up not playing, it would be an unmitigated disaster for Houston.
It’s already been a challenge for C.J. Stroud and the Texans without Collins. They were able to decisively defeat the New England Patriots in their first game without Collins but then lost two of the next three. Even their win was fortunate, needing a last-second field goal to overtake the Indianapolis Colts.
In Collins’ absence, the Texans have been increasingly reliant on running back Joe Mixon since his return from a Week 2 ankle sprain. He’s carried the ball 24-25 times in three straight games.
If Dell is also out, that would mean Houston is down to its WR4, WR5, and WR6 in three-receiver sets. That’s another recipe for the heaviest possible dose of Mixon.
In the event Dell can’t play, Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson, and John Metchie III would be the team’s WRs in three-receiver sets, with return man Steven Sims being the WR4. The veteran Woods would be the favorite to lead Houston in targets, but none of them are particularly exciting.
Tight end Dalton Schultz would likely see his largest usage of the season as the most trusted member of the Texans’ passing attack. We may also see more two-tight end sets with the team utilizing rookie TE Cade Stover in a larger role.