Texans expect WR Tank Dell to make full recovery following 'minor' gunshot wound

The Texans expect a full recovery for second-year wide receiver Tank Dell after he suffered a "minor" injury following a shooting in Florida this past week.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans refused to say if Dell would miss any time because of the injury but said he spoke to Dell and that "Tank will be fine." Texans owner Cal McNair added that Dell "looked good" and was "in good spirits."

Dell's injury was described as a “through and through” wound to his leg. He was taken to and quickly released from the hospital following the incident. He was already rehabbing from a broken fibula he sustained after 11 games this past season that ended his rookie year. Deal finished 2023 with 47 receptions for 709 yards and seven touchdowns.

A 16-year-old was later taken into custody by police following the shooting. Ten people were injured outside the venue where the shooting occurred.

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Tank Dell's 2024 season outlook

While its tough to project and predict, Dell enters his sophomore season in a more favorable position than when he left.

Dell will rejoin the Texans with one of the best wide receiver rooms in the NFL. He played with Nico Collins this past year but now will line up alongside Stefon Diggs in three wide receiver sets. Houston also re-signed tight end Dalton Schultz, drafted Cade Stover and traded for running back Joe Mixon.

That's quite the offense for second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud coming off an NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year season. The Texans also returned offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson. Both were being courted by other teams for promotions before they returned to Houston.

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The issue for Dell will be targets. He saw 75 targets in 2023, trailing only Collins and Schultz on the team. Both are back as well as the addition of Diggs. Houston also has veterans Robert Woods and Noah Brown still on the roster as well as third-year wideout John Metchie.

If Dell makes a full recovery from his 2023 injury and offseason gunshot wound, he should remain a focal point of the offense even after the offseason additions.