Not only did C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans rout the Tennessee Titans for their first win of the season on Sunday, but the team received encouraging news about one of their injured stars.
WR Tank Dell hasn't played since suffering a horrific left-leg injury last December in a 27-19 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. As a result, Dell was placed on the reserve/PUP list ahead of this season, expected to miss most, if not all of the 2025 campaign.
Texans receive encouraging news on fan favorite WR Tank Dell
According to CBS Sports analyst Ross Tucker, however, Dell has made big strides in his recovery.
"We did see Tank Dell was out running sprints which is encouraging," Tucker said on the CBS broadcast in the first quarter Sunday. "Man, they are a different offense when that young man is out there. The connection that young man has with C.J. Stroud and has going back to their rookie year is special."
Shortly after they were both drafted in 2023, Stroud (First round, No. 2 overall) developed a connection with Dell (Third round, No. 69 overall) that could be seen on the gridiron. In 11 games during his rookie season, Dell recorded 47 receptions for 709 yards and seven touchdowns. Before his injury last season, he had 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns.
Whether Dell will return this season remains a mystery, however the news of him running sprints is welcoming news for a Texans fan base hoping to see the offense break out.
Stroud working with other wide receivers in Dell's absence
Aside from Nico Collins and Xavier Hutchinson, every wide receiver Stroud has as his disposal is new to the team this season. This offseason, the team acquired Christian Kirk in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, signed veteran free agents Justin Watson and Braxton Berrios, and drafted former Iowa State standouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
While Nico Collins is Stroud's clear cut No. 1 option in Houston's passing game, he is still working to establish connections with the others. After struggling in their first three contests, Houston's offense showed signs of life on Sunday.
Stroud threw for a season-high 233 yards and two touchdowns, one of which went to Higgins, the first of his career. He also found another option in rookie tailback Woody Marks, who recorded four receptions for 50 yards and a score in the win.
Marks, who played his college ball at Mississippi State and USC, is known for his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. In 57 career games, he registered 261 receptions for 1,546 yards and five touchdowns.