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Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell had a breakout rookie campaign last season. The shifty receiver was on pace to be a bona fide league winner, with a four-game stretch scoring 29.60, 18.90, 28.90, and 17.20 PPR fantasy points. Sadly, Dell broke his leg in Week 13 and never returned in 2023.
He has not replicated his success at all in 2024. There are multiple factors behind this. Houston signed WR Stefon Diggs, an elite route runner, and this diluted targets for Dell. In addition, he was shot in the leg in the offseason, and though it was minor in comparison to most gunshot injuries, Dell is likely not 100%.
To make matters worse, Dell appeared on the injury report for the Texans recently. Is Tank Dell hurt or healthy? Will he play in Week 4?
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Tank Dell Injury Update for Fantasy Football
Dell is dealing with a chest injury after leaving the game against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, and unfortunately for fantasy managers, it looks like Dell may not return to play in Week 4. Dell reportedly specifically has bruised ribs that may require him to avoid taking more hits to recover.
#Texans WR Tank Dell is dealing with a painful rib injury and is currently unlikely to play this weekend, according to @AaronWilson_NFL pic.twitter.com/LvZjGaEArb
— Nick Schwager (@NickSchwagerNFL) September 25, 2024
This is bad news for Dell managers, who have already dealt with an overall lack of production. The good news is that Dell didn't suffer cracked ribs, bone breaks, cartilage damage, or anything major that would require medical intervention. This was confirmed early this week.
#Texans WR Tank Dell has no structural damage after taking a hit to the ribs in the loss to the Vikings. Dell is just dealing with some soreness today. Per @AaronWilson_NFL pic.twitter.com/AuXdJADH91
— Dylan Delgatto (@DDelgattoNFL) September 23, 2024
If Dell does miss time, it's unlikely it would be more than two games, and more likely he only sits out the contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4. Fantasy managers will want to stay updated on the situation for confirmation of Dell's status this week though. There's still a chance he could play.
Tank Dell Fantasy Football Outlook
There are a few extremely obvious pieces of context that people should keep in mind when discussing Tank Dell's production to start the season pic.twitter.com/IlputHngvA
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) September 20, 2024
Dell will probably be fine in the long run and should return to his 2023 playing (not scoring) form at some point in the second half of the 2024 season. He likely won't score as many points as he did during his dominant stretch in 2024. The Texans have more target competition and are a more balanced team (run vs pass) with RB Joe Mixon.
The Texans prefer to run two tight end sets at a higher rate than last year, which also causes Dell to miss out on some route opportunities. This could help explain his lower overall volume.
Dell should be a fine WR3/FLEX option with WR2 upside at some point, but at his ADP, that's likely a draft disappointment, and that's if he stays healthy.
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