Tank Dell’s revised agreement with the Houston Texans gives him access to $1.5 million in additional compensation, bringing his potential 2026 earnings to $3.645 million. The contract was completed last week before Houston’s Week 1 matchup with the Buffalo Bills, with details reported Sept. 11 by sports.yahoo.com.
Dell’s existing $1.704 million includes a $1.145 million salary and a $500,000 signing bonus. The new terms provide $300,000 if he plays at least 30% of the Texans’ offensive snaps, plus another $300,000 for each 5% increase up to a 50% share. He can also earn $38,461 for each game he is active.
Dell is on injured reserve with an option to return and will miss at least Houston’s first four games while rehabbing a 2024 knee injury involving a dislocated knee and several torn ligaments. A return could happen in the Texans’ home game against the Dallas Cowboys, but no schedule has been set.
He must first advance to 11-on-11 practice, after which Houston has 21 days to activate him. Otherwise, he would remain on injured reserve for the rest of the 2026 season. On Sept. 1, general manager Nick Caserio said Dell was approaching a comeback but still had more work to do and needed to rebuild confidence.
Dell later attended Houston’s 2026 season premiere event and Brian “Big Sarge” Barfield said he appeared upbeat and ready to return. The 2023 third-round pick joins a receiving unit also affected by injuries to Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
